Dare County has released its second Bonner Bridge video update

On Wednesday, April 13, Dare County released the second of what will become regular and frequent updates for the public on the construction of the Bonner Bridge replacement and the Pea Island Inlet Interim Bridge.

The first video was released shortly after March 8, the day that the construction officially began with a “groundbreaking” ceremony attended by Gov. Pat McCrory and a host of other federal, state, and local officials and members of the public, especially the Hatteras Island community.

Dorothy Hester, the county’s director of public information, says that the videos are being made by the county Public Relations Department for the Government Channel — Channel 20 for Charter Cable subscribers on Hatteras Island.

The Government Channel is a collaboration of Dare County and the county’s municipalities to disseminate news and information.

“We’re trying to do more work for the government channel that can be used in other media,” Hester said about the bridge updates.

This update notes that new travel lanes have been widened and paved at both the Bonner project site on northern Hatteras Island and the Pea Island Inlet site. And a loading dock has been constructed at the south end of the Bonner Bridge for delivery of materials.

The first pilings were driven for the Pea Island Interim Bridge in mid-April and the first piling is expected to be driven for the Bonner Bridge in late April.

This second update also has information for travelers.

Daytime lane closures should be expected on Highway 12 Monday through Friday during daylight hours until June 13. One lane will remain open during these closures, but motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations.

Daytime lane closures are not allowed June 14 through Sept. 14.

However, nighttime lane closures, lasting up to 30 minutes, will be allowed from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning for the delivery of equipment. These lane closures will be well publicized ahead of time.

NCDOT is working with the U.S. Coast Guard and the local boating community to keep them informed of any construction activities and potential impacts to the navigation span at the existing bridge. Any impacts to navigation will be to ensure the safety of the boaters and will be for short periods of time.

Hester said there probably won’t be another video update until sometime in May, but as the projects get rolling, Dare County will do updated videos twice a month or even every week if needed.