The NCDOT will be closing lanes on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in early January. The eastbound lanes heading into Wilmington will close on Jan. 3 for roughly three months, though the westbound lanes will remain open to traffic until April 8.

Major delays are expected. 

The N.C. Department of Transportation detour will have motorists taking the Isabel Holmes Bridge to Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and then to College Road. 

Here are some other alternate routes. They may take additional time and planning but they will allow drivers to avoid traffic tie-ups expected at the Isabel Holmes Bridge.

From Leland to Wilmington: Instead of taking the Isabel Holmes Bridge, consider taking I-140 to U.S. 117. This will eventually connect to College Road but will avoid much of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.

From Southport to Wilmington: Consider taking the Southport / Fort Fisher Ferry to U.S. 421, and then connecting to U.S. 117. Estimated time: About one hour.

From Castle Hayne to downtown Wilmington: While those coming from Castle Hayne won’t have to worry about crossing any major bridges, if drivers are looking to avoid Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and College Road, taking I-40 to Gordon Road, and then to U.S. 17 could be a good option. Estimated time: About 30 minutes.