New Inlet public boat ramp to close during bridge construction

As part of construction of the interim Pea Island Bridge along Highway 12, the N.C. Department of Transportation has coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to use the New Inlet boat ram and sound access parking area as staging locations for equipment and materials.

These areas are located about one half-mile and one quarter-mile south of the existing temporary bridge, and will be closed to the public for the duration of the project, beginning Monday, Feb. 22. The day-use beach access parking area in this same location was closed initially closed in spring 2014 and will remain closed.

Crews have been performing preliminary work since December 2015 to prepare for construction of the new bridge, which is scheduled to begin in March. It is expected to be open to traffic by April 2017.

NCDOT awarded a contract to T.A. Loving Co. of Goldsboro in November 2015 for the construction of a new interim bridge, which will be made out of concrete and replace the existing metal temporary bridge, constructed in 2011 following Hurricane Irene. This project is several miles of the Bonner Bridge replacement project.

Motorists are advised to use caution while traveling in the area. NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.

For more information about Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge programs, parking and access during the closure, visit www.fws.gov/alligatorriver/spec.html.