Biennial inspections of Basnight Bridge and Bonner Pier are underway

The N.C. Department of Transportation is performing federally-mandated inspections of both the Basnight Bridge and the Bonner Bridge Pier, a process that officially began on March 6, 2023.

The work requires daytime lane closures for the bridge, while small sections of the pier, (which is used for sightseeing and fishing), may be closed to the public while inspections are underway.

All work involved in the inspection process is expected to be completed within three weeks, or by March 27.

The inspections are a part of the Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), under which thorough inspections of bridge decks and support systems are required every two years.

The local impacts on Basnight Bridge traffic and Bonner Pier visitors are as follows:

• Basnight Bridge – Beginning March 6, there will be weekday daytime lane closures between a half-mile to a mile in length. The lane closures will be marked by flaggers. Motorists can expect delays of approximately 5-10 minutes.
• Bonner Bridge Pier – Inspections will begin March 6, but the pier itself will remain open to the public. Sections of the pier will be cordoned off by traffic cones to keep pedestrians from accessing areas where inspections are taking place. The pier may be closed for brief periods while platform trucks are moved on and off the structure.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.