Bonner bridge replacement can't come fast enough
Published August 27, 2015
Editorial by Winston-Salem Journal, August 25, 2015.
People from around the world have passed over the Bonner Bridge, that high-span landmark that connects North Carolina’s Hatteras Island with the rest of the Outer Banks. And in recent years, as the bridge has grown older and weaker, many have shuddered as they crossed it.
So we’re glad that state officials announced last week that a legal settlement has cleared the way for work to replace the bridge as early as next spring.
The bridge, built in 1963, just as tourism was taking off at the Outer Banks, was only designed to last 30 years, The Associated Press reported last week. It was closed in 1990 for weeks after a dredge collided with it during a storm, causing severe damage. The state closed it again two years ago for a couple of weeks as it dredged sand to support the bridge’s pilings.
The bridge is a lifeline for Hatteras residents, whose only other access off their beautiful spot of sand by the sea is by ferry or plane. They rely on the bridge to commute to jobs, doctors and other needs. And they rely on it to bring in tourists and their bucks. Hatteras Island is a jewel in our state’s tourism crown.
So keeping that bridge safe is crucial for us all.
Last week, building on a legal settlement reached in June, environmental groups represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center dropped a lawsuit blocking North Carolina from replacing the bridge, the AP reported. The deal, which also includes other bridge work on the island, allows for a new span over Oregon Inlet parallel to the existing bridge. It’s been previously estimated that the price tag for the bridge of almost three miles would be about $215 million, but that figure has surely increased.
The money must be spent and the bridge must be built — for the safety of the Hatteras residents and all their visitors.
August 27, 2015 at 9:15 am
Frank Burns says:
Think of all the legal fees spend on defending the most sensible, cost effective plan to replace the bridge by environmental lawyer advocacy groups. We pay professionals in the NC DOT to develop and plan and we don't need any help from environmental ambulance chasers. The State of NC should tighten up the rules to prevent frivolous lawsuits like this one from continuing. The only winners are the blood sucking lawyers.
August 27, 2015 at 9:16 am
Frank Burns says:
Think of all the legal fees spent on defending the most sensible, cost effective plan to replace the bridge by environmental lawyer advocacy groups. We pay professionals in the NC DOT to develop and plan and we don't need any help from environmental ambulance chasers. The State of NC should tighten up the rules to prevent frivolous lawsuits like this one from continuing. The only winners are the blood sucking lawyers.
