Bonner Bridge Remains Open For Now

NCDOT posted the following to their Facebook page Monday afternoon: 

Good afternoon! We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We understand that there have been some rumors circulating regarding the latest on the Bonner Bridge. Here is the most recent update from our local engineers: 

The Bonner Bridge is currently open and safe for travel. If conditions were to change and we determined it was not safe, the bridge would be closed immediately. At that point, the emergency ferry route between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe would be activated. 

The department is doing daily visual inspections of the bridge, and will be doing another sonar scan later this week. We will keep everyone posted should any changes in conditions be discovered during these inspections.

We are expecting to award a contract for the emergency repair work early this week. Once a contractor is chosen, it may take a few weeks for them to mobilize crews and equipment to the bridge site. In addition, the materials that will be used for the emergency repair project are being constructed and will have to be transported to the bridge site. In all, it will take a few weeks for work to actually begin. 

We will keep you posted as details are finalized.

Original story below, from November 30th.

Yesterday's inspection shows that the bridge requires urgent repair.The North Carolina Department of Transportation completed additional inspections Friday of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, which carries N.C. 12 over Oregon Inlet, and confirmed the bridge support structure is in need of immediate repairs, but remains safe for the traveling public for now.

Steps are already underway to secure a contractor and begin the repair work as quickly as possible. Routine sonar scanning of the bridge recently identified additional scouring, or areas where sand has eroded from the support structures of the bridge. NCDOT engineers will closely monitor the bridge and conduct weekly scans to ensure it remains safe for travel until the structure can be fortified. Should safety ever become a concern it would be closed to traffic.

The bridge is the only way vehicles can travel directly between Hatteras Island and the mainland. If NCDOT were required to close it, the NC Ferry Division would provide emergency support to move people and cars. 

In the interest of being prepared for any scenario, the Ferry Division has already tested its emergency ramps at Stumpy Point and Rodanthe, and can deploy additional ferries when circumstances dictate.

NCDOT will continue to work closely with local leaders and emergency officials in Dare County, and keep the public informed of any additional findings or changes.

The bridge, well past its design life, is scheduled for replacement, but the construction start has been repeatedly delayed by lawsuits.