- Beachbook
- Coastal Review Online
- Dare County
- Duck
- Island Free Press
- Kill Devil Hills
- Kitty Hawk
- Manteo
- Nags Head
- Nighthawk News
- Southern Shores
- Bill's OBX Beach Life
- N.E.S.T Online
- Natural Outer Banks
- Red Headed Beach Girl
- Rosie Hawthorne
- See more local blogs »
State permit issued for Bonner Bridge replacement
The Bonner Bridge is almost 50 years old.
The NCDOT said in a news release the state Coastal Area Management Act major permit was received Thursday afternoon, following a 30-day public comment period and reviews by four federal and 10 state agencies.
Federal permits and easements from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Coast Guard, National Park Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are expected to be issued over the next four months.
The NCDOT hopes to move forward with the replacement project starting early next year, but that will be determined by what happens with a pending lawsuit filed by environmental groups.
Phase I of the project will build the new span just west of where the Bonner Bridge currently stands.
Phase II includes implementing long-term solutions for the major breaches on Pea Island and at Mirlo Beach caused by Hurricane Irene in August 2011.
The NCDOT has initiated an “active coastal monitoring” program of the nagging overwash issues along N.C. 12 between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe.
Alternatives that could be considered for future phases were previously studied as part of the project’s original environmental analysis include beach nourishment, road relocation or additional bridges.
The Bonner Bridge was built in 1962 and is in use far beyond its intended lifespan. It is under constant repair, with the latest work costing $1.8 million to reduce scouring on the inlet floor around several pilings.
A contract of $215.8 million was awarded to PCL Civil Constructors Inc. and HDR Engineering Inc. of the Carolinas last summer for the bridge project.
See what people are saying:
Join the discussion:
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment.
- MOST READ
- MOST DISCUSSED
- Beach nourishment is a go in Kill Devil Hills
- Dare budget request would hike tax rate 3.25 cents
- Reward increased for fugitive Luis Rodriguez
- Gamefish legislation: Control or conservation?
- Ruling favors rebuilding septic systems on beach
- Business & Real Estate
- Forum focuses on pending flood insurance changes
- Community News & Announcements
...... says:
it is ludicrous the amount of time, money, studies and foot dragging that has gone into this bridge replacement. let’s get it done now.
Steve says:
A new bridge will only aid our demise. The Bonner bridge was one of the worst things to happen to us along with deforestation and dune lines.
Lars Edge says:
Really? The bridge was one of the worst things to happen?? how would people like you have anything if you didn’t have one?? Typical hypocrite b.s.
common sense says:
Why has it taken so long? The environmentalists can certainly be blamed for a chunk of it. Mostly the same ones that are causing so many problems on Hatteras on Ocracoke islands. Seems like the last several years have been stall tactic after stall tactic by them to keep it from being built. They want a big 17-mile bridge out into the sound to bypass everything. Seems to me that would be the worse option environmentally-speaking…tearing up all that habitat out in the sound…not to mention folks no longer being able to access or enjoy much of the refuge.
I agree we need to protect wildlife…but there also needs to be some balance…these guys have gone too far!
Sue says:
@Common Sense: you said “not to mention folks no longer being able to access or enjoy much of the refuge”
That explains why the environmentalists want the more expensive, extensive bridge.
The Outer Banks are at such a polarized place now in history. Development means tourism and more money for the area, but then there eventually comes an apex where the only way forward is down. Just look at Myrtle Beach central. What a mess. Get used to the politics. They are going to be stronger than ever for a good while!
...... says:
Steve obviously doesn’t have a lot of his time, blood, sweat and tears invested in making a place for himself on Hatteras island.
Wasn’t a lot of the deforestation done in the distant pass to build houses and boats?
Weren’t the dune lines built as part of a public works project? Way, way back when?
.....NO says:
Leave Pea Island alone!!!! Don’t need a new bridge. Building a new bridge will ruin everything!!! Say good-bye to our wonderful habitat for years and years to come!
Bill says:
Pea Island will have washed away before the new bridge gets built.
fd says:
Steve the Bonner Bridge was opened in 1963 when you lived somewhere else and the world still spins
fd says:
What do you think it would be trying to ferry all of those people across oregon inlet. Local people have lives and they need a way to be able to get on and off the island without having to sit in long ferry lines. As well as EMS transporting emergencies.
......... says:
Great response Mr. No. I hope for your sake you or a family member never have an emergency on Hatteras Island and can’t get away to get medical help because the bridge isn’t there.
Stan Clough says:
The outer banks was deforested in the 1600′s thru 1800′s to use the live oaks for shipbuilding. Their shape and stregnth were perfect for ships. This is well documented. Dunes were started in the 1930′s during the great depression using sand fencing, same as we do now, but with more effort and intent.
The bridge needs to be done asap. The environmental terrorists should have no say in our area. I refer to them as terrorists because I believe that is what they are by their behavior.
...... says:
Look and see how much of the refuge is man made.
ekim says:
Those who oppose the new bridge are ENVIRO WHINING LAZY WACKOS!!! Any young man that is out of work on these islands should be on the doorstep of who ever does the hiring, RIGT NOW!!! Its a few years of good hard, good paying WORK!
steve says:
We are not dependent on the bridge for medical needs.
We were prosperous before the bridge.
yes says:
when the med flight can’t fly because of bad weather we are very dependent on that bridge being there.
Neckster says:
all come on with out a bridge what are we doing here . This location is empty with NO bridge. ok you local have fun with no revenue . Stop all the talking and build the bridge…It’s sort of like the beach no beach no people no bridge no people , and you can all talk about what ever you like , both locals (really) and non local without it no one lives . its that simple . This is not the 1920 so dont tell me you dont need people to survive…just stop kidding yourself and you just transplant shut up . you have no voice yet…
Kevin Gray Conner says:
The Bonner Bridge is the economic lifeline of Hatteras Island and its replacement is of the utmost importance. Hatteras Island contributes twenty-five percent of the revenue Dare County generates; so economic impacts would be felt countywide if Hatteras Island was isolated by a catastrophic bridge failure for any significant period of time. All Dare County residents need to realize that Hatteras Island is not only home to approximately 4,500 permanent residents; it is also an important part of Dare County’s economic prosperity.
steve says:
If you have medical issues that may require transport at any time than you shouldn’t be here.
Even the bridge does not guarantee a way off the island.
We would be better off without.
To many people favor lazy over adventure or practicality.
Questions says:
What becomes of the old bridge? Turn it into a fishing pier like they did in the Florida Keys when new bridges were built.
yes says:
Steve does not speak for the majority of Hatteras and Ocracoke islanders. (Yes, Ocracoke relies heavily on that bridge too.)
yeah says:
There should have been a big class action lawsuit against the environmental groups for putting all of the Hatteras Island residents in danger by delaying the construction of the new bridge. The OI bridge is held together with duct tape and superglue.
johnr says:
Steve doesn’t sound very bright when he talks about you shouldn’t be on the island if you may need medical transport—–ever heard of accidents and/or “new” medical conditions?
yes says:
Steve, I hope you or a family member don’t/doesn’t have a sudden and unexpected medical incident on Hatteras Island and can’t get off.
porkchop says:
well lets just hope that the company that got the contract will use local worker, but we all know that it will be people shipped in from the main land .
Nags head bob says:
I seriously doubt Steve lives south of the bridge or that he’s from there.
comeon says:
Steve, I’d like to know how you come on and off Hatteras Island? Do you paddle a canoe across the inlets? Or just a standup paddle board? Is your food and mail delivered by helicopter? And, you must be creating your own electricity since the power line runs under the bridge.
comeon says:
johnr……Also don’t forget there’s only three docs on the island to service the almost 5000 residents.
steve says:
Bonner Bridge and its Jetties. Continuing to aid the demise of Hatteras Island.
Bigdaddy says:
C’mon people! Steve’s a troll just baiting you.
comeon says:
obviously
Bob Samuels says:
Build the damn bridge already!
steve says:
Why would we need helicopters or paddle boards? Has anyone heard of a boat? It gets me most anywhere, except wal-mart.
Sue says:
Steve, the good old days are long gone! Faded photograph.
Sense says:
This “Steve” is the perfect example of the new breed of extreme environmental wackos.
Steve, how about wherever it is that you live, how about if the DOT came by and did away with all of the roads/access to your home/property/business/livelihood and everything else.
These people like “Steve” are simply against anything manmade here in the US. That said, you let some US engineers go down into some undeveloped country, and build a bridge, so that those people can have access to better health care and a better chance to survive, and ol’ Stevey Boy there is probably jumping up in the air and all for it!!!
It’s either that, or he is one of those who not only feels guilty about being a US citizen, but he is also feels guilty about being a human being in general. In which case, who cares what Stevey Boy thinks.
Build the bridge. And for crying out loud, build the other half of the equation, like anyone with any common sense knows should have been done fifty years ago. BUILD THE NORTH JETTY!!! Oh, and don’t worry about what Steve thinks on the jetty either. He’d probably tell you to build a house with only two walls, if he thought it would be better HIS ENVIRONMENT.