Cape Fear Skyway

Flags show possible path of Cape Fear Skyway

It's the latest in the $7 million planning and environmental review of the controversial project that could one day lead to a new high-rise bridge between New Han­over and Brunswick counties.

In the past few weeks, letters were sent to landowners in areas that could become part of the Skyway project, explaining that workers would be on their property and instructing them not to touch the flags.

Once the work is done, it will help the Turnpike Authority decide which of several options still under consideration is the best, said Steve DeWitt, chief engineer for the authority.

"It's all a part of the process. We start out with all these lines on the map," DeWitt said. "We're trying to find the right transportation solution."

Some of the options still under consideration involve a new bridge over the Cape Fear River , with roads starting from Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington that ultimately meet up with U.S. 17 in Brunswick County.

The estimated cost is about $1 billion.

Of course, one of the options is to not build a new bridge and simply improve the causeway that includes the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

That's the tack most heavily supported by Leland Mayor Walter Futch.

Right now, the Turnpike Authority is about halfway through the environmental assessment process, which is expected to be completed in 2013.

It's used to whittle down the authority's options by outlining what impact each would have.

Besides determining what wetlands and streams would be affected, and what permits would be required for them, the study also looks at how many homes and businesses would have to be relocated and what plant and animal life would be disturbed.

Several protected plant species are being looked at, transportation planner John Burris said, including the Cooley's meadowrue, golden sedge and rough-leaved loosestrife.

This part of the process is expected to take three to four months.

Former Mayor pushed for high rise bridge in 1960s – Cape Fear ...

Former Wilmington Mayor James E. L. Wade had a vision that many current leaders share – Wilmington needs a high rise bridge. In a 1963 StarNews letter to the editor , Wade advocates for a high rise bridge off the Cape Fear River.

The former mayor foresaw the lower level bridge becoming obsolete and a problem for traffic. T he Cape Fear Memorial Bridg e , which opened in 1969, was recently deemed structurally obsolete by the state.

Wade urged the State Highway Commission to build a medium level bridge and start raising funds for a high-rise bridge.

“We should not overlook the fact that whatever bridge we may get now will have to do for a long period of time-maybe several generations. I am first, last and always for an adequate high level bridge, which is the only type we may expect to serve adequately for a long time to come,” he said in the letter.

Mayor Bill Saffo said the letter could be published today as the city still awaits a proposed high-rise bridge, the Cape Fear Skyway. The $1.1 billion project is in the early planning stages and far from becoming a reality as it hits funding blocks and political opposition. Saffo has been a strong proponent of the bridge, but has been criticized for being involved in the planning of the bridge because property he owns, at least in part, is in the path of one of the proposed routes for the bridge.

Watchful eyes on government and politics in the Cape Fear region, with a focus on government spending. Raleigh bureau reporter Patrick Gannon, city government reporter Shelby Sebens, county reporter Kevin Maurer and environment and development reporter Gareth McGrath contribute to this blog.

To contact Watchdog$, e-mail watchdogs.starnewsonline.com .

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