WILMINGTON – Two overnight closures of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge start tonight. The closures are needed so the NCDOT Bridge Maintenance Electrical Department and New Hanover Bridge Maintenance Department can safely do the annual inspection of the aerial cables on the bridge. They will also install new rubber insulating strips on the cables.
Tonight's closure starts at 9 p.m., with the bridge reopening by 5 a.m. on Wednesday. The same closure will be in place at that time on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
The work is weather conditional so if it is postponed either night, they will try again Thursday night, Sept. 6, into Friday morning. That night could also be used if additional time is required to repair any damage discovered in the inspection.
A signed detour will direct traffic, but motorists are advised to seek alternative routes, and to anticipate needing extra time to travel in the area during those nights.
This type of inspection is done every year, usually starting the Sunday after Labor Day. However, it was moved up a few days to accommodate work already scheduled to start on the bridge the week of Sept. 10. The annual inspections ensure that cables will remain functional and in good repair for the duration of their life expectancy. The rubber strips are replaced every other year.
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