NCDOT Holding Open Houses, Public Hearings for Future Cape Fear Crossing

By Frank Williams | April 22, 2019 | Comments Off on NCDOT Holding Open Houses, Public Hearings for Future Cape Fear Crossing

[April 22, 2019] — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold two open houses and public hearings next week concerning a major project in eastern North Carolina.

The Cape Fear Crossing is an approximately 9.5-mile proposed road and high-level bridge over the Cape Fear River that would help improve traffic flow and enhance freight movements from U.S. 17 and Interstate 140 in Brunswick County to U.S. 421 near the Port of Wilmington in southern New Hanover County.

U.S. 17 serves as one of the primary entry points into Wilmington from the west, and the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization determined that an additional crossing is needed to alleviate congestion on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (U.S. 76/U.S. 421/ U.S. 17 Business).

Maps displaying the location and design of the project are available on the project website or the NCDOT public meetings website.

The public is invited to the open houses and hearings at the following times and locations:

Monday, April 29
John T. Hoggard High School Cafeteria
4305 Shipyard Boulevard, Wilmington
Open House: 5 – 6:30 p.m., Hearing: 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30
North Brunswick High School Gym
114 Scorpion Drive, Leland
Open House: 5 – 6:30 p.m., Hearing: 7 p.m.

NCDOT representatives will be available at the open houses to answer questions and receive comments regarding the proposed project. The opportunity to provide verbal comments and/or submit written comments and questions will be provided. The public may attend at any time during the above hours. Please note that the same information will be presented at both meetings.

The formal presentations will consist of an explanation of the location of the six detailed study alternatives, right of way and relocation requirements and procedures. The public will have the opportunity to comment. The presentation and comments will be recorded, and a written transcript will be prepared.

If you can’t attend the meeting, NCDOT will live-stream the public hearing on its Facebook page. Questions and comments entered into the Facebook post during the event will not be answered or be entered into the record.

Comments may also be submitted electronically using the project’s website or NCDOT’s online engagement portal. Comments may be submitted through May 16, 2019.

NCDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has approved the Cape Fear Crossing Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS contains a summary of the purpose and need of the project and the impacts associated with the various route locations under consideration. With the DEIS now available to the public, the formal review period has begun. The open houses and hearings provide an opportunity for the public to make formal comments that will be included in the project record.  These comments will be considered in the selection of the Preferred Alternative for the project.

Copies of the DEIS and maps showing the six detailed study alternatives are available for review at the following locations, through May 16th:

  • NCDOT—Division 3 Office, 5501 Barbados Boulevard, Castle Hayne
  • Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Office, 305 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
  • Leland Town Hall, 102 Town Hall Drive, Leland

Copies of the DEIS are also available for review at the following locations, through May 16th:

  • State Library of North Carolina, 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh
  • New Hanover County Public Library, Main Campus, 201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
  • Northeast Regional Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington
  • Leland Library, 487 Village Road NE, Leland
  • New Hanover County Public Library, Myrtle Grove, 5155 S. College Road, Wilmington
  • Brunswick County Library, 109 W Moore Street, Southport

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, will issue a public notice describing the ongoing process in choosing the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) for the subject project, under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. That public notice is available online.

For the open house and public hearing events, NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in these meetings. Anyone requiring special services should contact Robbins as early as possible so that arrangements can be made. Interpretive services will be provided at each meeting.

Those who speak Spanish and do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the hearing by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Posted in Transportation