A public walkway under the west side of the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge is eyed to help pedestrians and cyclists avoid Wrightsville Avenue’s sometimes impenetrable traffic.
On Tuesday, Wilmington City Council may consider a resolution toward an agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) to build the timber crossing, which would connect with the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail.
Council’s agenda, in draft form currently, notes the DOT is putting forth $250,000 for the design work. “When design is complete, the remaining funds will be applied toward construction of the walkway, which is expected to open in 2015,” said a city bulletin Friday.
The crossing concept has made the city’s priority list for enhancing Wilmington’s pedestrian-and-bike friendliness. The timber boardwalk would start on the north side of busy Wrightsville Avenue adjacent to the bridge–the Heide Trask Drawbridge, properly–and cross under the bridge before terminating on the avenue’s south side.
An estimate earlier this year put the project’s total around $700,000.
City spokesman Dylan Lee said Friday federal funds may figure into construction spending.
The walkway would serve as the terminus to the Cross-City Trail, a 15-mile multi-use path constructed around the city for the safety of cycling and walking and in the promotion of good health.
According to the city, citing a 2011 traffic count, the roadway there contains a five-lane cross-section that experiences about 16,000 vehicles per day.
Council members will meet Monday morning at Wilmington City Hall to discuss its agenda for Tuesday and may modify or remove items as needed.
Ben Brown is a news reporter at Port City Daily. Reach him at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
