WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-New effort to replace Yadkin River Bridge includes "rebranding"

New effort to replace Yadkin River Bridge includes "rebranding"

By David Whisenant - bio l email

SALISBURY, NC (WBTV) - WBTV has uncovered the latest plan North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue is using to try and secure millions of dollars needed to replace the Yadkin River Bridge on I-85.

Part of the plan includes using a new name for the bridge and involving other states in the effort.

The Yadkin River Bridge is a narrow, two lane bridge that crosses the Yadkin River between Rowan and Davidson Counties.  The bridge is 50 years old.

Anytime there is an accident or a lane closure, traffic backs up for miles causing lengthy delays. 

The state and local leaders have worked for years to have it replaced, but the estimated cost of more than $300 million has always been the deal breaker.

Now, Governor Perdue is talking to the federal government and leaders in other states, like Georgia, to try and stress the regional importance of the bridge.

That's why she's more likely to refer to it as the I-85 Bridge, instead of the familiar "Yadkin River Bridge."

State and local officials are hoping they will find the money for the bridge replacement in a federal "TIGER" grant.

TIGER grants are discretionary projects funded by the National Recovery Act.  Those projects are expected to be announced in February.

One local legislator told WBTV today that the TIGER grant was the best hope for bridge replacement.  When asked if there is a Plan B, the legislator responded there is no Plan B.