MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

McKinley "Ken" Dull

Mayor, Town of Wrightsville Beach

Pictured: Town of Wrightsville Beach 9/11 Remembrance Walk & Ceremony flyer.

Town Offices Closed for Labor Day

Wrightsville Beach Town offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day.

Offices will reopen and resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Traffic Delays - YMCA Triathlon

EXPECT TRAFFIC DELAYS - The YMCA Triathlon event is scheduled to occur on Wrightsville Beach Saturday, September 26, 2026, beginning at 6:00 a.m.

Normal traffic flow will be disrupted temporarily to facilitate the participants of this event. Traffic delays will particularly affect the residents and businesses in the area of Causeway Drive (Hwy 76), Old Causeway Drive, Dock Street, Seacrest Drive, Keel Street, Short Street, and Marina Street. Vehicle traffic access to these areas will be open but delays should be expected. In some cases, traffic may be directed by Wrightsville Beach police officers toward the boat ramp area and underneath the drawbridge. Eastbound traffic entering Wrightsville Beach will be diverted to Highway 74 / Salisbury Street and westbound traffic exiting the beach must also use Highway 74 / Salisbury Street.

The Wrightsville Beach Police Department will have officers directing traffic where necessary. Normal traffic flow should resume by 10:30 a.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation at (910) 256-7925. For further information about the race, visit the YMCA Triathlon website.

FIRE

Tabletop Exercise

The Town's Emergency Services Consultants, North Carolina Fire Chief Consulting, are working closely with the Wrightsville Beach Fire and Police Department to prepare for the impacts of the Bridge Replacement Project.

The Consultants are looking at hazard and risk information to determine what options are available to Town staff when responding to emergencies during bridge closures.

A scenario-based training will be held in September for Town staff. This exercise will lead to the development of an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for the Bridge Replacement Project.

OCEAN RESCUE

Lifeguard Staffing - Season Transition

Labor Day marks the final day that all lifeguard stands will be fully staffed for the season.

Beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2026, lifeguard coverage will transition to six staffed stands, with staffing gradually reduced in the following weeks as beach visitation decreases.

We appreciate our lifeguards' dedication throughout the summer and remain committed to providing coverage at key beach access points during the seasonal transition.

Complete the Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment Survey

The Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey is complete and requires your input!

Responses to this survey will be used to develop the 2028 – 2033 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan for the Town of Wrightsville Beach. 

Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment Public Input Sessions to be held at Town Hall Council Chambers:



• Tuesday, October 20^th at 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 21^st at 6:00 p.m.
• Monday, October 26^th at 5:30 p.m.

A New Way to Workout - Fitness Dance!

Fitness Dance is a session-based fitness class that takes place Wednesdays, September 16 - November 4, 6:00 – 7:15 pm. Pre-registration is required.

Who’s ready to have some fun and get in a workout all at the same time?!

The feel-good break in your week we've all been desperately needing. Come move, sweat, and dance your stress away in a welcoming very beginner-friendly class designed for all fitness levels. No dance experience needed! Simply bring your energy and get ready to have a blast dancing to upbeat music while getting in a great workout. This class is all about feeling good, building confidence, and enjoying movement in a supportive, judgment-free space. Michaela Basilio Batten leads this class where you can expect a mix of cardio, strength, stretch, easy-to-follow routines, great vibes, and nonstop fun that will leave you smiling and energized long after class ends. Whether you’re looking to stay active, meet new people, or simply do something for yourself each week, this class is the perfect excuse to let loose and enjoy the music. Come as you are — and leave feeling stronger, happier, and refreshed!

Pictured: Fitness dance class.

Join Us for Ongoing Fitness Classes

Get moving with Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation! Whether you're looking to build strength, improve flexibility, boost your energy, or stay active with friends, our fitness classes offer something for everyone.

Led by experienced instructors in a fun and welcoming environment, these classes make it easy to prioritize your health and wellness.

Check out our ongoing fitness classes and find the perfect class for you!

• Cardio Crunch
• Tone, Strengthen, & Stretch
• Tai Chi
• Dynamic Core Conditioning
• Vinyasa (Power) Yoga
• Hatha (Gentile) Yoga

Stay active and meet your neighbors or visitors!

AED Training

The Town of Wrightsville Beach recently installed an AED at Wrightsville Beach Park, adjacent to the tennis/pickleball courts and restroom facility. 

Join us Tuesday, September 15^th at 11:00 a.m. in the Public Safety Building for an AED overview. If you’ve never been exposed to an AED, this session will give you an overview on the use of the AED that offers automated instruction. Registration is not required.

The Wilmington and Beaches CVB are Rebranding

for Visitors

The Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) share the stories that make New Hanover County, and in particular, Wrightsville Beach, a special place to visit and call home.

As they kick off a rebranding project, they are looking to our community to help ensure Wrightsville Beach is represented in a way that feels authentic and true to who we are.

Please complete the anonymous survey and help shape the future brand. At the end, you can enter to win one of three Wilmington and Beaches prize packs!

For more information on the Wilmington and Beaches CVB, please visit their website. 

Board of Aldermen Meeting

August 18, 2026

Next Meeting:

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 5:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers

(Click On Video Below to Watch a Replay of the Board of Aldermen Meeting.)

NCDOT Bridge Replacement Project in Wrightsville Beach

NEXT MEETING:

Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Wrightsville Beach Public Safety Building Conference Room

NCDOT Press Conference Video 08/14/2026

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to replace three aging bridges in Wrightsville Beach as part of a single project (Project HB-0040), and repairs are no longer a long-term solution.

What’s Changing:

• Causeway Drive Bridge (US 76): Will be rebuilt as a 4-lane bridge.
• The Two Bridges on West Salisbury Street (US 74): Each will be rebuilt as 2-lane bridges.

The new bridges will be built in roughly the same location as the current ones. While no new car lanes will be added, the new designs will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists with:

• 10–12-foot multi-use paths
• 6-foot bike lanes

Project Timeline:

Currently, the project remains in the design stage, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun the process of right-of-way acquisition for the project.

The NCDOT conducted geotechnical boring work on the longer West Salisbury Street Bridge in April of 2026, to take samples of the soil, ahead of the start of construction. This same work was done on the Causeway Drive Bridge and will be completed on June 26, weather permitting.



NCDOT will begin utility relocation July of 2026, starting on the West Salisbury Street Bridge over Kenan’s Creek, which may involve lane closures. This work is critical to prepare the area for the replacement of the bridge. More information will be provided when it becomes available.

At this time, construction of the smaller bridge on West Salisbury Street is expected to begin in the fall of 2026.

Beginning in the fall, when bridge construction starts, the Heide Trask Drawbridge will open only on the hour to help manage traffic flow during the project.

Following the Lees Cut Bridge work, utility relocation and bridge construction on the Long Salisbury Street Bridge over Banks Channel and the Causeway Drive Bridge over Banks Channel are expected to occur concurrently.

To maintain access to and from Wrightsville Beach, the Causeway Drive Bridge will be constructed in phases. A new bridge will first be built just north of the existing Causeway Drive Bridge. Once completed, traffic will be shifted onto the new structure, allowing the current bridge to be demolished and the second phase of the new bridge to be built. The two phases will then be connected to function as a single bridge once complete.



Throughout the construction project of all three bridges, at least two travel lanes in each direction will remain open, ensuring access on and off the beach island at all times. Boat traffic will also be able to continue navigating the waterway throughout the duration of the project.

Town Action & Community Involvement

Though this is a NCDOT project, the Town of Wrightsville Beach is actively involved to ensure the community’s voice is heard throughout the planning and construction process. The Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce also has a representative ex officio to represent all Wrightsville Beach businesses.



Key Town Efforts Include:

• Bridge Replacement Committee: Formed by the Board of Aldermen, this committee includes six residents, three ex officio members, and four Town staff. Its mission is to gather public input, review project updates, and provide recommendations to the Board and NCDOT.
• Transportation Consultant: Was hired by the Town to support the committee and staff. The consultant is helping with NCDOT communications, traffic studies, emergency service access, and technical project guidance.
• The Town has hired an emergency response consultant to assist with planning and preparation for emergency situations. The emergency response consultant will share a presentation at the next meeting.

Wrightsville Beach is committed to keeping residents informed and minimizing disruptions throughout the duration of this important infrastructure project.

For more information and FAQs on the Bridge Replacement Project, click here to visit our website.

Curious about how something works in the Town of Wrightsville Beach?

Whether it’s about town services, processes, or operations, we’re here to help keep you informed!

Use our fillable form to ask your question, and we’ll get back to you with an answer.

Click here to submit your question.