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Photos by Don Bowers
NCDOT representatives, politicians, construction crew members, community leaders, and Governor Roy Cooper braved the stormy weather on Tuesday to mark the official opening and ribbon cutting of the new bridge across Oregon Inlet.
Small pieces of the former Bonner Bridge were given out to attendees as a memento, and the event began with the Posting of Colors by the United States Coast Guard Color Guard of Station Oregon Inlet. The ensuing ceremony featured multiple speakers, including Bridge Mom’s Natalie Kavanagh, CHNS Superintendent David Hallac, Gov. Roy Cooper, and former state Sen. Marc Basnight’s daughters, Caroline and Vicki.
After the remarks, contributors to the bridge project ceremoniously cut the ribbon to the bridge in the protected interior of the tent, and then the public were invited to sign a bridge railing to mark the occasion.
The bridge officially opened to traffic on February 25, 2019, and Tuesday’s event was the second celebration of the bridge’s completion, following a “Community Day” that was held on Saturday, February 9.
