Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2006-05-15, Gov. Easley Dedicates Bridge In Honor Of Former Wilmington Mayor Dan Cameron; New Bridge Over Cape Fear River On I-140 Wilmington Bypass Is Named For Cameron

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lisa Crawley Date: May 15, 2006 Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY DEDICATES BRIDGE IN HONOR OF FORMER WILMINGTON MAYOR DAN CAMERON New Bridge over Cape Fear River on 1-140 Wilmington Bypass is Named for Cameron RALEIGH — Gov. Mike Easley today dedicated the new high-rise bridge over the Cape Fear River on the 1-140 Wilmington Bypass in honor of former Wilmington mayor Daniel “Dan” David Cameron. The 1.43-mile bridge, which is located between N.C. 133 (Castle Hayne Road) and U.S. 421, is expected to open to traffic this summer as part of the next stretch of the bypass. “Dan Cameron is certainly a shining example of the profound effect one individual can have on a community,” said Easley. “His commitment to Wilmington was evident in the many ways he contributed to this city, and naming this bridge in his honor is a fitting tribute to the literal and figurative bridges he built for the area’s citizens.” A Wilmington native, Cameron was instrumental in the city’s transformation from a small coastal town to an internationally recognized port city. During his time as mayor of Wilmington from 1955 to 1957 he helped form the city’s Committee of 100, through which he attracted a number of important new industries, including Corning and General Electric, to the area. The bridge naming was requested by the Wilmington City Council and New Hanover Board of Commissioners. A resolution to name the new bridge as the “Dan Cameron Bridge” was passed by the N.C. Board of Transportation in November 2005. The first section of the Wilmington Bypass, a 3.2-mile stretch of highway from 1-40 to N.C. 133 (Castle Hayne Road), opened to traffic in August 2005. Along with the stretch of highway that features the Dan Cameron Bridge, another section of the bypass from 1-40 to U.S. 1 7 North on the northern side of Wilmington is also expected to open to traffic this summer. Once complete, the Wilmington Bypass will be a 27-mile, four-lane highway that runs from U.S. 17 on the north side of Wilmington westward to U.S. 17 south of Wilmington. It will eventually have interchanges at I- 40, N.C. 133, U.S. 421 and U.S. 74/76. The 1-140 project is part of Easley’s strategic transportation plan for southeastern North Carolina. The plan is aimed at providing more opportunities for economic development in the southeast region of the state by improving access to the Port of Wilmington, Sunny Point Military Installation and the beaches of southeastern North Carolina. Governor's Press Office State Capitol. Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166 ###