Gribblenation

We've been documenting some of the concerns the town of Leland, NC has had over one of the routings of the proposed Cape Fear Skyway.  The northern routing option of the highway runs the closest to the town. Leland Mayor, Walter Futch, has publicly come out against the highway.  He's stated that if the northern routing was built it would separate his town. Leland's view is contrary to Brunswick County Commissioners, who on January 19th passed a resolution in support of the northern route. The town has sent to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority 16 pages of questions in regards to the highway - from financing to routing to economic impacts.  Futch said he will not consider changing his mind until the NCTA answers the 16 page questionnaire. The questions can be found here . Story Link: Alternatives to Skyway possible, officials say ---Wilmington Star News Commentary: There are a number of worthy questions from the town - but there are also a number of quest...

The town of Leland along with NCDOT and the Turnpike Authority will host a public workshop on the Cape Fear Skyway on Friday, January 22 nd . No details on where and when were available. Leland has expressed the most concern over the Skyway project. Leland Mayor, Walter Futch , has express concern over the northern alternative of the project. That proposal would have the greatest impact on Leland “It separates our town,” he has said. Futch would like to state to spend some of that money on widening US 74/76 through town and to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Story Link: Town of Leland to hold public meeting for Skyway Bridge -- WECT -TV HT: Pat Batleman

Tolls on the newly opened and free of charge Interstate 140 in Wilmington? The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce likes the idea. Why do they like the idea, because it will assist in paying for the construction of the proposed toll project the Cape Fear Skyway . The North Carolina Turnpike Authority has floated tolling I-140 as a possible funding source for the Skyway project. But adding tolls to an existing free interstate isn't easy. In order for tolls on I-140 to happen, it would have to be approved by the FHWA and Congress in addition to the NC legislature that must approve all toll projects. I really don't see this happening, and the Wilmington Chamber is supporting a trial balloon that will have extreme difficulty getting off the ground. Story: Chamber backs toll for bypass to fund Skyway ---Wilmington Star-News

The NCTA is looking at the possibility of tolling part of or all of the US 17/I-140 Wilmington Bypass as a way of generating additional funds for the Cape Fear Skyway . Currently, the projected revenue from the 9.5 mile toll road would only pay for half the cost of the $1.0 - $1.5 billion project. As a result, that would require a minimum of $49.2 million per year gap funding paid for out of North Carolina's general budget for 40 years. Tolling the entire bypass (when completed) could possibly reduce the gap funding at an $11 million per year rate. In fact, the NCTA estimates that in a 40 year period tolls on the Wilmington Bypass would generate more revenue than the Skyway . $2.4 billion over 40 years compared to $1.5 billion over 40 years for the Skyway . Of course, because the Wilmington Bypass has been funded with federal tax dollars, it would need to get approval from not only the state legislature (which has to approve all toll projects) but from the federal government ...

The proposed Cape Fear Skyway is at a crossroads as elected leaders in both Brunswick and New Hanover Counties debate on which is their preferred choice for the highway and bridge. At a recent meeting between the North Carolina Turnpike Authority and the Wilmington Area Transportation Advisory Committee, various leaders voiced their opinions on what route the proposed toll road should follow. Brunswick County Commissioner Bill Sue prefers a more northern route that avoids the Snee Farm and Stoney Creek communities. He views the northern route as the first proposal that avoids "...really high-priced land that represents some potentially good tax base." However, the northern route doesn't sit well with the mayor of Leland, Walter Futch. The proposed northern route would cut through the heart of his town. “It separates our town,” he said. Futch would like to state to spend some of that money on widening US 74/76 through town and to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Options fo...

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority recently released a few new details for the proposed Cape Fear Skyway. First, the bridge will most likely be a cable-stayed bridge rising anywhere from 165-187 feet over the cape Fear River. If it is a cable-stayed bridge, the design will be very similar to the new Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, SC. The NCTA also increased the proposed cost of the bridge from anywhere between $1.1 to 1.5 billion. Currently, no specific construction or routing details are planned. A preferred route has not been finalized, and construction could begin in 2013. Early estimates for completion and opening to traffic is sometime in 2017. Story Link: Vision for billion-dollar Cape Fear Skyway clearer now ---Wilmington Star-News

This story could push the discussion of getting the 'gap funding' for the Cape Fear Skyway approved along though the next few months. A recent inspection of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge that carries US 76/421 and 7 Business over the Cape Fear River in Wilmington exposed cracks in the bridge's infrastructure. The cracks are in need of repair but NCDOT officials say drivers shouldn't be worried. The bridge will see one lane shutdowns beginning May 27th - Monday through Thursday. From 10 pm through 6 am - Monday through Thursday - the bridge will be shut down altogether. The bridge will remain open during the weekends for beach traffic. NCDOT plan on the repairs to be completed in their entirety this fall. Story: WWAY-TV HT: Joe Babyak

Last Thursday the Leland Town Council unanimously passed a resolution voicing their disapproval on any tolls of the yet to be completed Wilmington (Interstate 140) Bypass. Recently, the NCTA has presented a plan that would include tolling parts of the yet to be constructed I-140 Wilmington Bypass to help pay for both the remaining piece of the bypass (Cost: $550 million) and the $1 billion Cape Fear Skyway. The NCTA also says that the toll projects would allow both the bypass and the Skyway to be completed sooner rather than later. And that's what the Leland town council objects to. The tolling of the remaining unbuilt sections of I-140 in addition to the Skyway. Currently, construction for extending I-140 from US 421 to US 74/76 near Leland is scheduled to begin in 2012. The Leland Town Manager, Bill Farris, indicated that he would send the passed resolution to other Brunswick County municipalities so they can sign on to opposing the tolls if so desired. Story: Wilmington Star-N...

Yes, it is indeed possible. The $550 Million Wilmington Bypass/Cape Fear Skyway Project is one of the several proposed NC Turnpike Authority (NCTA) projects. In a recent Brunswick County Commissioners meeting, the NCTA presented an update to their Cape fear Skyway Toll Highway proposal. Afterwards, County Commissioner urged those in attendance to contact the 21st Century Transportation Committee in support of a bond issue that would help finance road construction throughout the state. If built as a toll road, the tolls would only cover 50% of the cost causing the NCTA to look for other sources of 'gap funding', most likely from the state's General Fund. However, a member of the NCTA's Board of Directors, David Redwine, said that if a bond referendum is passed it could solve the funding gap problem for the Cape Fear Skyway. He also stated that tolling the highway is just a series of options to get the project underway. Story: Wilmington Star-News Commentary: Well, the...

Interstate 140. Interstate 74 and US 74 improvements. Cape Fear Skyway. What do all three of these projects have in common? Obviously, a number of things. But for the operators of the Port of Wilmington, the three highway infrastructure projects are key to the continued growth and expansion of North Carolina's largest port. The Port facility currently handles an annual 350,000 trucks, and that number is expected to double to 700,000 annual truck volume by 2020. The Port is currently expanding their container handling facilities along with ongoing dredging of the Cape Fear River to handle larger vessels. The three highway projects are important to the Port - which is currently accessed only by surface streets. The upgrading of US 74 and construction of I-74 will allow for quick freeway access to points West and Northwest - Charlotte and Greensboro. The I-140 project in addition to the Cape Fear Skyway will provided a timely bypass around Wilmington's surface street. The t...

An article in Friday's New Bern Sun Journal breaks down the status of the various proposed toll projects in North Carolina. 1. Triangle Expressway (Triangle Parkway & Western Wake Parkway) Two toll parts. Part one: The Triangle Parkway - a 3.4 mile extension of NC 147 south and east to current NC 540 at Davis Drive. It's expected cost $110 million - $235 million. This section is the shortest toll project and could be open by 2010. Part two: Western Wake Parkway - a 12.6 mile extension of NC 540 from NC 55 to Holly Springs. Estimated cost - $515 million - $930 million and could be open by 2011. A request to cover a $20 million gap in funding for both projects is currently under debate in the NC General Assembly. 2. Garden Parkway (Gaston East-West Connector) 21.5 miles from I-485 near Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to I-85 west of US 321 in Gastonia . It is the longest and possibly most expensive of the toll projects. It will cost somewhere between $745 milli...

Officials from Wilmington's Transportation Advisory Committee are headed to Raleigh hoping to make the Cape Fear Skyway a step closer to a reality. The goal: persuading the North Carolina General Assembly to fund some if not all of the projected $439 million funding shortfall for the proposed $1 billion project. The funding gap could be solved with a 40 year annual allocation of $39 million from the state's budget. Backers of the Cape Fear Skyway aren't the only toll road proponents hoping to get some help from the General Assembly. The Raleigh-area Triangle Expressway needs an estimated $18 million annual investment from the state. Currently, the General Assembly and the NC Senate have not agreed on let alone pass a new budget. A stop-gap funding bill has been passed allowing the government to continue to operate until July 31. Funding for the Skyway may not occur in this session. However, if the budget includes funding for the Triangle Expressway, supporters of the...

In a recent editorial of the Wilmington Star News , there was this little tidbit. But consultants told the Turnpike Authority Wednesday that, compared with other proposals it's considering, the Cape Fear Skyway "looks like a pretty good project." That's very interesting. The editorial discussed what they perceive as a need for the bridge to handle the rapidly growing area. (Which I do agree with.) They do express the disappointment that the suggested $1.75 toll will cover about 55 percent of the costs. I wonder if the report from Wilbur Smith Associates to the NCTA will be made public that would be an interesting read.

It appears that tolls collected on the Cape Fear Skyway , a high rise bridge carrying traffic over the Cape Fear River between the Fort Fisher Ferry and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, will cover for slightly half of the bridge's estimated $1 billion cost. The other source of funding would come from an annual $39 million in some form of state, federal, or otherwise funding for 40 years. The 9.4 mile bridge project if opened in 2015 would cost motorists a $1.75 toll to cross the bridge. The Skyway would connect US 17 in Brunswick County to Wilmington at Independence Blvd. and Carolina Beach Road. Proponents of the project suggest that the Skyway will be an alternative to the existing Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, a drawbridge that carries much of the area's traffic from Brunswick County in and out of Wilmington. A traffic and revenue study by Wilbur Smith and Associates indicates that because the Skyway would not include a large time savings compared to the existing Cape Fear ...