Bonner Bridge Replacement Project Surpasses Milestones; Captain Richard Etheridge Bridge Officially Complete

With the summer season fast approaching, crews on the Bonner Bridge Replacement Project are steadily surpassing project milestones as they work to span Oregon Inlet, and arrive at a projected late 2018 completion date.

At the northern construction area, the last of the project’s pilings have been driven as crews focus on the installation of the remaining footings, columns, and caps that will rise to meet the new navigation span. In the navigation zone, crews are nearing completion of the two remaining navigation spans. Upon the completion of these spans, crews will then connect the northern half of the structure to the southern half.

As work on or above the navigation zone is expected to progress through the middle of June, mariners in the area are advised that periodic safety zone closures lasting up to two hours of the existing marine navigation channel, and the spans south of the main navigation channel, may necessary, pending advance notice from the Coast Guard and the NCDOT.

At the southern end of the project, crews have set the last of the bridge’s 180 foot long southern girder spans – the longest in the state of North Carolina – connecting the bridge’s navigation zone to the southern shore. As crews continue to construct and pour the southern approach’s decking, they are also working to wrap up work on the bridge’s southern ramp that will connect the bridge to the N.C. Highway 12 roadway.

Further south on Pea Island, after painting the final traffic lane markings, the Captain Richard Etheridge Bridge has officially been completed, with all work zones and traffic restrictions having been lifted in that area.

Those travelling along the Bonner Bridge should expect daytime lane closures Monday through Friday of N.C. Highway 12. One lane will remain open during these closures, however motorists should allow extra travel time.

Visit http://www.ncdot.gov/nc12 for more information on the Bonner Bridge construction project, as well as updates on area traffic information.