New Bonner Bridge Opening Soon

New Bonner Bridge is opening as soon as March 1, 2019. The new bridge that will replace the Bonner Bridge may open as soon as March 1, 2019. This is what the North Carolina highway engineers recently made public. The new high-rise bridge linking South Nags Head to Hatteras Island has been under construction since March of 2016. The new and improved link to Hatteras Island rises just over 90 feet at its highest point above Oregon Inlet inlet. The length of the new bridge is 2.8 miles and has two 12-foot-wide lanes with 8-foot shoulders for cyclists, pedestrians and disabled vehicles. The high-rise bridge has a life span of 100 years and cost $252 million.

Workers are attaching the final metal rails on top of the finished barriers. The bridge will have two 12-foot-wide lanes with 8-foot shoulders for cyclists, pedestrians and disabled vehicles. The old one has only a 2-foot wide shoulder.

The next few weeks the finishing touches are being completed on the new bridge. This includes cutting traction grooves into the concrete deck and pouring concrete for barriers along the sides of the bridge. Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative is now running cables under the bridge’s surface to provide power to Hatteras Island. Hopefully, by March 1st all will be completed and the new bridge will have a grand ceremony for its opening along with a brand new name!

Dare County has gone to Facebook and Twitter to ask the public for help in naming the new bridge. Over 300 suggestions have been sent in with ideas for a new name. Some of the suggestions include naming it for former state Sen. Marc Basnight, Andy Griffith and even Blackbeard. Some suggested keeping the name and calling it the New Bonner Bridge.

The old Bonner Bridge was completed and opened in 1963. The old bridge will be demolished with the concrete being used to add to the existing reefs off the Outer Banks. Part of the south end of the old bridge will remain for the use of fishing. The new Bonner Bridge opening will be an exciting event at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This new bridge will be able to withstand the ever-changing landscape of sea and sand due to wind, surf and storms

Salute to the old Bonner Bridge

The old Bonner Bridge will be missed by those that crossed it on their way to Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Many a vacationer has fond members of the bridge. But the new higher and safer bridge will be a welcome addition to the Outer Banks! Can’t wait to cross the new bridge on my visit to Hatteras Island in the next few week! But the new height will make me nervous!