The replacement for the Bonner Bridge is finally open to traffic! This article from the Outer Banks Voice is a quick read but does a great job of giving the important information.
New bridge over Oregon Inlet finally opens to traffic
Two years after construction began, the new bridge over Oregon Inlet opened to traffic shortly after noon Monday, culminating almost 30 years of planning and legal wrangling, the N.C. Department of Transportation said.
“It’s a great day for all residents and visitors to the Outer Banks,” said NCDOT Board Member Allen Moran, who represents Dare County. “This new bridge will be a critical lifeline to the people and the pristine beaches of Hatteras Island for generations to come.”
Construction began on the $252 million bridge in March of 2016.
The new bridge is 2.8 miles long and rises 90 feet above Oregon Inlet at its highest point, with 8-foot shoulders on each side. It is the first bridge in the state built with stainless reinforcing steel, which will provide extra protection against the salt water environment and last 100 years.
The new bridge replaces the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, which was built in 1963. Demolition of the old bridge will begin soon and is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year. A 1,000-foot section of the south end of the old bridge will remain as a pedestrian walkway.
An informal Community Day event to celebrate completion of the new bridge was held Feb. 9. A more formal dedication of the bridge is being planned for April 2.
