For modern buyers driving across the high-rise bridge into Surf City or Holden Beach, the trip is seamless. You cruise at 45 mph, catch a stunning view of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and you are on the island in seconds.

But for locals and longtime visitors, the experience of "getting to the beach" used to be very different. It was a ritual defined by mechanical hums, waiting for shrimp boats, and the distinct thump-thump-thump of tires on wooden planks.

The transition from swing bridges to high-rises isn't just a history lesson; it is the single biggest factor that transformed our barrier islands from sleepy fishing villages into the high-value real estate markets they are today.

The Wrightsville Beach Trolley Era

Before there were cars, there were rails.

The History: In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the "Beach Car" trolley ran from downtown Wilmington all the way to Wrightsville Beach. It crossed the marshes on a wooden trestle, dumping thousands of visitors at the legendary Lumina Pavilion.

The Shift: The first bridge for cars wasn't the high-rise we know today. It was a lower drawbridge. The current Heide Trask Drawbridge, built in the 1950s, is actually one of the few remaining movable bridges in New Hanover County.

The Real Estate Impact: Because Wrightsville has always had better access (rail and then bridge) than the other islands, its property values have historically led the market. It was the "accessible" beach for Wilmington’s elite while others remained remote.

The "Swing Bridge" Culture of Topsail Island

For decades, the Surf City Swing Bridge was the heartbeat of Pender County.

The Experience: Built in the 1950s (replacing a WWII Army pontoon bridge), this steel truss bridge sat just feet above the water. When a boat came, traffic stopped. Drivers turned off their engines, rolled down windows, and talked to neighbors.

The Modern Era: In 2018, the new 65-foot high-rise bridge opened.

The "Insider" Trade-off: While the nostalgia is missed, the high-rise exploded property values in Surf City and North Topsail. Why? Reliability. Investors no longer had to worry about a mechanical failure trapping them on the island during a hurricane evacuation or making them late for work.

The Sunset Beach Pontoon: The Last of Its Kind

If you bought in Brunswick County before 2011, you remember the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge.

The Engineering: It was a marvel—a floating bridge that rose and fell with the tide. To open it, a cable system literally pulled the center span sideways.

The "Heartbeat": Locals called the sound of loose wooden planks rattling under tires "the heartbeat of the island."

The Replacement: When the Mannon C. Gore Bridge (high-rise) opened in 2010, it ended the era of the "one-lane wait." While it removed the charm, it made emergency services instantly accessible, making Sunset Beach a viable option for full-time retirees rather than just vacationers.

The Next Big One: Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

History is repeating itself right now in downtown Wilmington. The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (the metal lift bridge connecting Brunswick and New Hanover counties) is reaching the end of its lifespan.

The Future: Discussions are underway for its replacement. For investors in Leland and Belville, this is the single most important infrastructure project to watch. A modern, higher-capacity bridge will likely do for North Brunswick County what the high-rise did for Surf City: eliminate the bottleneck and skyrocket accessibility.

Your Next Step

Infrastructure drives appreciation. Knowing where a bridge is being replaced—or where traffic patterns are shifting—is key to buying ahead of the curve.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we view real estate through the lens of history and future development. We are experts in listening to your need for both charm and convenience, communicating those desires into homes that offer the best of both worlds. If you want to understand how future infrastructure projects will affect your property value, let’s look at the long-term map together.