The short version: NCDOT has started early work on its roughly $105 million plan to replace three Wrightsville Beach bridges, beginning with the smaller West Salisbury Street span over Lees Cut. Construction will stretch over several years, and NCDOT has committed to keeping two lanes in each direction open to and from the island. For buyers and owners, it means some short-term inconvenience in exchange for new, longer-lasting connections to the beach.

What's Happening on Wrightsville Beach

The project, listed by NCDOT as HB-0040, replaces two bridges on West Salisbury Street (U.S. 74), one over Lees Cut and one over Banks Channel, plus the Causeway Drive bridge (U.S. 76) over Banks Channel. NCDOT's project page puts the total estimate at about $105 million, including roughly $70.8 million for construction, and notes that the figures may change.

On Oct. 1, NCDOT awarded the first-phase contract, worth $8.67 million, to Balfour Beatty. That phase covers the smaller Lees Cut bridge and the relocation of a waterline, which has to be finished before bridge work starts. NCDOT expects the waterline work to take four to eight weeks starting this month. WECT reports that crews have begun installing erosion controls and receiving materials, and that a closure of the westbound shoulder of West Salisbury Street near Pelican Drive was set to begin Oct. 27 for utility work.

Once the waterline is moved, West Salisbury Street over Lees Cut will close completely while the new bridge goes up. NCDOT says it will announce that date. The longer Salisbury Street bridge and the Causeway Drive bridge follow. Causeway Drive will be rebuilt in two halves so traffic can keep moving.

NCDOT is using a construction manager/general contractor approach, which its project page says could finish the job up to two years earlier than first planned. Port City Daily reported in August that the target is now spring 2030. We'd treat any finish date as an estimate. The new bridges add bike lanes and multi-use path space rather than extra car lanes. Boat traffic will keep moving through the waterway, and the Town says the Heide Trask Drawbridge is expected to open only on the hour once bridge construction begins.

What This Means If You're Buying

If you're shopping on the island, take the drive at the times you would actually use it, whether that's a weekday morning from Eastwood Road or Military Cutoff Road or a summer Saturday heading over from Wrightsville Avenue. Hourly drawbridge openings and lane shifts can change how a trip feels.

Construction may make some buyers hesitate, especially on homes closest to the work. Patient buyers could find a little more room to negotiate there, though island inventory stays tight and we wouldn't count on big discounts.

Bridges are only one part of the cost of owning on the water. Flood zone, elevation and wind and flood insurance usually matter more, so ask for an elevation certificate and get insurance quotes early. If years of construction are a dealbreaker, mainland waterfront and near-water areas such as Landfall, Bradley Creek, the Airlie Road corridor, Masonboro Sound and Porters Neck keep you close to the beach.

What This Means If You're Selling

Buyers will ask about the bridges, so address it up front. We suggest including NCDOT's current timeline in listing materials and scheduling showings around known closures.

If your home is near Pelican Drive or the West Salisbury Street corridor, think about timing. Listing before or between the heaviest phases may help, and pricing should account for buyers who weigh the inconvenience. If you own a vacation rental, let guests know about construction before they arrive so a slower check-in doesn't turn into a poor review.

What This Means for Homeowners

Island homeowners can sign up for project updates on NCDOT's project page. The Town's Bridge Replacement Committee next meets Monday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Public Safety Building conference room at 3 Bob Sawyer Drive. Keep in mind that NCDOT leads the project and the Town has no decision-making authority over it.

The Town notes that trees and plants inside the project limits may be removed. If you're planning a renovation, dock work or a big delivery, ask your contractor to build bridge closures into the schedule. During hurricane season, know your evacuation route and leave early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I still be able to get on and off Wrightsville Beach during construction?
Yes. NCDOT and the Town say at least two travel lanes in each direction will stay open throughout the project.

When will the work be finished?
NCDOT hasn't posted a firm completion date. Port City Daily reported a spring 2030 target, and schedules can change.

Will construction lower home values on the island?
No one can promise how values will move. Construction can affect showings and how quickly some homes sell, while long-term value depends on many factors, and each property is different.

Will boaters be affected?
Boat traffic will continue through the waterway. The Town says the Heide Trask Drawbridge is expected to open only on the hour once bridge construction begins.

Questions about how this affects your home? Call the Jennifer Bullock Team at RE/MAX Executive, 910-547-8535.

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