HATTERAS ISLAND NEEDS YOUR HELP
When built in 1963, the Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet had a life expectancy of 30 years. Efforts to replace this vital link to Hatteras Island have now been going on since 1993 for an unbelievable 17 years! A seemingly never-ending series of studies, environmental issues, and administrative delays have repeatedly held up construction. Details concerning the bridge and the actions that have been taken to get it replaced my be viewed at - http://www.replacethebridgenow.com.
At this point, we appear to be very close to getting a decision to move ahead with the start of construction. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has prepared an Environmental Assessment with a preferred alternative that recommends building a new parallel bridge next to the existing structure as quickly as possible.
The changes outlined in the new Environmental Assessment include:
• Eliminating the Pamlico Sound Bridge alternative, known as the “Long Bridge”
• Reducing the impact on the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station & the Rodanthe Historic District
• Modifying the location where the new bridge will connect to Hatteras Island
• Recommending a new preferred alternative known as the “Parallel Bridge with N.C. 12 Transportation Management Plan.” It calls for the new Oregon Inlet Bridge to be built as soon as possible while information generated by a coastal monitoring program would determine what to build along NC Highway 12 in future phases as circumstances warranted.
This is a decisive point for the future of the Bonner Bridge. You can make a difference by providing your comments in support of the new bridge to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The Replace the Bridge Now Committee is requesting that all property owners, visitors, and those with an interest in Hatteras Island contact the NCDOT, and let them know that the proposed bridge has been studied enough. No more studies are necessary; now is the time for action! The committee also thinks it would have a meaningful impact if your comments described what the bridge means to you and how and why the bridge is a lifeline for the island.
Recognizing that everyone is very busy, the Committee has drafted a pre-printed public comment form that you can submit by e-mail. The form may be accessed by clicking on the following link – http://tinyurl.com/35dx995.
We urge you to support this effort and get as many as your friends and family as possible who visit Hatteras Island to do the same. Without the bridge our safety, our livelihoods, and our property values would be severely compromised.
Thanks in advance for you involvement in this very important matter.