Bonner Bridge Update: Bonner Bridge Closer to Connecting as Lego Bridge is Dismantled

Crews at the northern end of the Bonner Bridge project are steadily making their way south to meet the work underway of what will be the bridge’s new navigation zone, per the latest update on the Bonner Bridge project.

Having completed the southern half of the navigation zone’s new structure, crews are now working to construct the five northern spans of the structure before connecting the two halves together.

As work on the navigation zones progresses between the months of February through May, periodical closures of the marine navigation channel lasting up to two hours should be expected. Advanced notice from the U.S. Coast Guard and NCDOT will be available on these closures, and an updated listing of these closures can be found online at http://www.ncdot.gov/nc12.

South of the navigation zone, crews are constructing the columns and installing the caps that will support the bridge’s southern incline, connecting the navigation zone structure to the bridge’s southern landing.

Land-based crews are also working to complete pile driving efforts and construction of the footings and columns that will support the bridge’s decking to the completed southern approach.

At the site of the newly constructed Pea Island Interment Bridge, which opened in 2017, the metal framework or the former “Lego Bridge” has been dismantled, as crews have begun the process of cutting and clearing the concrete foundations that once supported it.

Additionally, crews at the Pea Island site have also begun removing the lanes of road nearest the new bridge in preparation to install a protective rock barrier.

NCDOT urges motorists in these areas to stay alert, obey posted speed limits, and watch signs for construction information and lane closures.

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

Occasional nighttime road closures lasting up to 30 minutes are also possible. NCDOT will provide notice of these road closures via various online and social media resources, in addition to its travel management system, http://www.drivenc.gov.