New Pea Island Bridge Expected to Open this Month BY JOY CRIST

Per the recent Bonner Bridge project video update from Dare County, the new Pea Island Bridge is expected to open in October, while the overall project is halfway complete as crews continue to make progress.

At the northern end of the new Bonner Bridge, crews are steadily making their way south through the marshes, driving pilings, setting girders, and pouring the bridge deck. In addition, crews have completed 17 spans totaling almost half a mile of the bridge’s total 2.8 miles.

At the inlet, crews have completed two of the bridge’s navigation spans, and are closing in on the completion of the third expanse, which will bring the total of completed spans to almost a quarter of a mile. Meanwhile, crews continue their work on the water near the current navigation channel driving pilings and pouring concrete, with three more piling clusters expected to be installed north of the navigation span by the end of November. Mariners are advised to be extra cautious as barges and other heavy marine equipment will be working close to the navigation channel.

At the southern end of the new Bonner Bridge, crews are steadily progressing with pile driving efforts south of the shoreline. The decking for the southernmost approach has been completed, with crews working to install bridge rails on the completed sections.

At the Pea Island Bridge site, crews are nearing completion, as the final girders of the bridge’s deck have been installed and bridge rails are being poured. The new bridge is expected to be open in October, with removal of the old “Lego” bridge to be completed sometime in December.

Drivers in these construction areas 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.

Scheduled night time road closures lasting up to 30 minutes are also possible to allow for deliveries of construction materials. NCDOT will propvide advance notice of these road closures via various online and social media platforms, as well as on their travel information site, www.drivenc.com