WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. -- The town of Wrightsville Beach will be considering the development of a new route to get on the island.

• Town officials say they asked the North Carolina Department of Transportation to help with drafting options for replacing the Heide Trask Memorial Bridge.
• The current drawbridge is the only way to get into the town, and has a remaining lifespan of about 20 years. 
• The town of will be hosting a public meeting about these options to get community input on May 21.

Town officials say they asked the North Carolina Department of Transportation to help with drafting options for replacing the Heide Trask Memorial Bridge. The current drawbridge is the only way to get into the town, and has a remaining lifespan of about 20 years. Town manager Tim Owens said they need to start preparing now for future changes.

"The bridge will open up when there is traffic in the waterway on an hourly basis, and on demand by commercial vessels," said Owens. "So, a lot of times it creates a lot of issues. Particularly in the summer time, but even in the winter time with people commuting in and off the island and also getting here to vacation."

NCDOT presented five draft options for a new bridge, which explores the feasibility of the project. The options include models of drawbridges and high rise bridges.

Owens said nothing is official yet. These are changes that could come decades down the road.

"We're trying to look at it from the future perspective," said Owens. "I mean, this place is growing really fast and we want to make sure we have the plans in line when the money becomes available." 

Right now, the price points for the five options range from about $70 million to about $120 million.

The town of will be hosting a public meeting about these options to get community input on May 21, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Wrightsville Beach Town Hall.