I-140 bridge naming drawing lots of attention in Brunswick

By Makenzie Holland StarNews Staff

BRUNSWICK COUNTY -- The new bridge on Interstate 140 that crosses the Cape Fear River is proving to be extremely popular -- and not just to drivers who use the crossing to avoid the crowded Eagles Island causeway between Wilmington and Leland.

The final piece of I-140, also known as the U.S. 17 Wilmington Bypass, connecting U.S. 421 in New Hanover County to U.S. 74-76 in Brunswick opened in December. Now, different people and groups within Brunswick county are looking to have the highway section's longest bridge named after others who have served or honored the county.

One of the first to have their names thrown into the ring was former Brunswick County Commissioner William (Bill) M. Sue. Sue’s family submitted his name for consideration, and earlier this year Brunswick County Commissioners approved a resolution asking the N.C. Department of Transportation to name the bridge for Sue.

Yet last month, Sue’s family asked if commissioners would support naming the I-140 bridge crossing U.S. 74-76 after Sue instead of the bridge crossing the river, which commissioners supported.

With Sue out of the picture, two other groups are working to gain support for their bridge name ideas.

The Navassa Town Council recently passed a resolution that the bridge be named after Navassa’s first mayor, Louis Bobby Brown, who played an instrumental role in pushing for completion of the bypass.

Additionally, the Brunswick County Veterans Coalition wants the new bridge to be named the N.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, and would also like the section of I-140 traveling south into Brunswick County to be named specifically for 10 Brunswick County men who were killed in Vietnam.

As the two groups push to name the bridge, DOT spokesman Brian Rick said the N.C. Board of Transportation will not consider a name for the bridge unless it has the support of the local county government or governments if the bridge or road in question touches two jurisdictions -- which the bridge over the Cape Fear River does.

The county or counties impacted have to pass resolutions in support of the bridge name, Rick said.

In Brunswick County, commissioners have yet to pass a resolution supporting another potential bridge name.

According to the DOT, for a road, bridge or ferry to be named after an individual they must be living or have been deceased for a year or longer. Individuals must not currently be serving or pursuing a term as an elected official and must have made notable state, local or national contributions.

Additionally, individuals must not already have another state-owned ferry, bridge or road named after them.

Reporter Makenzie Holland can be reached at 910-343-2371 or Makenzie.Holland@StarNewsOnline.com.

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