Wilmington, N.C.- Picture what the Wilmington skyline would look like if suddenly the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge was no longer here. Without it, something would be off. It just wouldn’t look right- would it?
That’s because the bluish/gray lift bridge has became part of Wilmington’s identity. Honestly, can you think of another structure that symbolizes the town more? Other cities get attached to ballparks or skyscrapers. When you think of New York it’s probably the Empire State or Chrysler buildings that come to mind. Boston is probably Fenway park. Washington D.C. is certainly the US Capitol. Here in Wilmington our beloved landmark is a bridge that first opened in 1969.
Age is part of the problem. You and I know that for the last several years local and state leaders have been working on either renovating the bridge or trying to secure funding for an outright replacement. Now one local group suggests that even if it is replaced, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, should stay in place and be transformed into a walking community park.
The Historic Wilmington Foundation made its vision for the bridge public earlier this month. Executive Director Travis Gilbert shared his proposal with the Eagle Island Task Force on May 12th. “It’s the Historic Wilmington Foundation’s opinion that the bridge is now a local landmark, a staple, one of the visuals that creates the identity of Wilmington and our region,” Gilbert said. “Many communities across the country have similar bridges that are eligible for the National Register and have been adaptively reused because they were such integral parts of the identity of the communities.”
Plans haven’t been fully fleshed out yet as to what the park would include. Things are still in the preliminary stages. Gilbert did mention that the concept would be based on a similar project in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In 1978 Chattanooga’s century old Walnut Bridge was no longer safe for vehicle traffic. Even though plans were in the works for a replacement bridge, city leaders decided to make minor repairs to the old structure and convert it into a park. For almost 30 years the bridge has been home to street fairs, farmers markets, craft shows and live music. Similar projects have also given new life to old bridges in Cincinnati, Ohio and Poughkeepsie, New York.
“My friends in Chattanooga rave about the Walnut Street Bridge,” said Gilbert.
The Historic Wilmington Foundation wants to save the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge because they see it as the most notable moveable bridge ever constructed in North Carolina. It was the state’s first vertical lift span bridge. Gilbert and other historians believe the federal government has an obligation to preserve the bridge, even in another format like a park, as long as it is proven to be structurally sound.
In 2021 the North Carolina Department of Public Transportation studied four options to replace the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. They included a 65-foot fixed span, a 135-foot fixed span, a 65-foot moveable span and a 65-foot moveable span with a rail component. Each of the plans varied drastically in price with the cheapest option estimated at $241.2 million and the most expensive plan costing $899.6 million. The cost to restore and renovate the bridge would be considerably cheaper, but would require expensive annual upkeep.
