New Hanover County Commissioners Petition Congress for River Navigation Study and Bridge Funding

Wilmington, NC, September 18, 2026 —

New Hanover County commissioners have formally petitioned Congress on two key infrastructure issues impacting the region: a comprehensive study of navigation needs on the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear rivers, and increased federal financial support for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement project.

The commissioners’ petition to Congress specifically calls for the authorization of a new study designed to assess both the current and future navigation requirements for the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear rivers. The details of the proposed study, including its scope, timeline, and responsible agencies, were not provided in the summary. The duration for which the study is intended to assess future needs was also not specified.

In parallel, the county commissioners also submitted a request for additional federal funding designated for the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. This request comes amid existing concerns regarding aspects of the multi-billion dollar project. The commissioners have expressed apprehension about the proposed clearance height for the new bridge, as well as the existing cost-sharing arrangements for the significant undertaking. The specific federal agencies or congressional committees that received these petitions were not detailed.

The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge project is described as a multi-billion dollar endeavor. The summary did not specify the total estimated cost, the proportion of federal versus state or local funding, or the current timeline for the bridge’s replacement. Information regarding the specific proposed clearance height that has raised concerns was also not provided. The outcome of these petitions and the timeline for any potential congressional action were not detailed in the provided summary.

Story summarized from the original created by WWAY News on www.wwaytv3.com, see more information here.