The Turnpike Authority continues to advance the environmental and design studies for the Cape Fear Skyway project in Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The project, an approximately 9.5-mile proposed toll road from the U.S. 17 Bypass in Brunswick County to U.S. 421 near Wilmington, includes a new high-rise bridge over the Cape Fear River. The central purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and freight movements by connecting major routes in Brunswick and New Hanover counties, along with providing better access to the Port of Wilmington. In addition, the project would help reduce hurricane evacuation clearance time for residents and visitors and aid in emergency evacuation form Progress Energy’s Brunswick
Once funding is secured, the project is estimated to take five years to construct. Preliminary cost estimates for the project are between $950 million and $1.1 billion.
