The New Bridge over Oregon Inlet Becomes OBX's Newest Icon

Written by Outer Banks Visitors Bureau on Feb. 19, 2019.

For the first time this year, hundreds of people crossed the new bridge over Oregon Inlet on foot, by bike, and while running. Community Day welcomed families, dogs, and travelers from across the region to mark the much-anticipated completion of the new bridge in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Local officials and community organizations opened the ceremony by sharing pieces of the Bonner Bridge's history and context about the nearly 3-year project. As a tribute to the connection between the inlet and the people who rely on it, a wreath was placed into the water beneath the bridge. The bridge opened for vehicle traffic the last week of February 2019 and is ready for Outer Banks travelers to drive across.

The replacement effort

The new bridge stands as a major feat of engineering and a new OBX landmark, alongside icons such as the lighthouses and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. It stretches nearly 2.8 miles-long, with the roadway rising 90 feet above Oregon Inlet. For travelers and fishermen, the bridge brings greater confidence and reliability for reaching the ocean or Hatteras Island, with a solid lifespan of 100 years.

The Bonner Bridge Replacement Project started in March 2016 following a ground-breaking ceremony with former Governor Pat McCrory. The completed cost was $252 million through PCL Civil Constructors and HDR Engineering. The new bridge will be named for former state Senator, Marc Basnight. Basnight was raised on the Outer Banks, graduated from Manteo High School, and became a successful business owner who created local employment opportunities before beginning a distinguished career in public service as an elected official. During that public service career, Basnight was a passionate and effective advocate for advancing education, providing transportation infrastructure, safeguarding the environment and other issues of public concern.

Bridge design

The new two-lane bridge will carry North Carolina Highway 12 (NC 12), which is the only access route linking Hatteras Island and Bodie Island. A mix of segmental and conventional concepts created a cost-efficient structure. Reinforced stainless steel and high-quality materials help improve corrosion prevention and slow the structural effects of sea salt, air and water. Construction took place in five separate stages using an accelerated construction technique with offsite concrete precasts. Larger navigational spans will make passage through the inlet easier for watercraft and marine vessels.

Bonner Bridge history

The Bonner Bridge, in place since 1963, was constructed to carry transportation over Oregon Inlet and replace the hour-long ferry ride, which often depended on weather conditions. Named for congressman Herbert Covington Bonner, the bridge included a 130ft-wide navigational span. With approval from the state Board of Transportation, portions of the Bonner Bridge will now become a fishing pier, while the rest is removed by September 2019. The fishing pier would retain the name Herbert C. Bonner. Photos were provided by NCDOT.

The new bridge reflects the strength of the OBX community. It serves as a physical lifeline between the Islands and as a symbol of perseverance for nearby communities. The page also featured a sunset flight with OBX Airplanes from the day before the bridge opened to pedestrians.