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Final Environmental Impact Statement Signed for Bonner Bridge

The N.C. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have signed the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the replacement of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, which spans Oregon Inlet and connects Hatteras Island to the mainland in Dare County.  A public comment period is open until Monday, Oct. 27. The 1,300-page document is a comprehensive study of the potential social, economic and environmental impacts related to the bridge’s replacement. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 requires NCDOT to draft an FEIS before it can move forward with construction on a federally funded project. NCDOT and FHWA plan to complete the final planning document, the Record of Decision, by the end of the year.  NCDOT plans to build the preferred alternative, known as the Parallel Bridge with Phased Approach/Rodanthe Bridge Alternative, in several phases. The preferred alternative includes constructing a new Oregon Inlet bridge (Phase I) west of the existing structure and later elevating N.C. 12 onto a series of bridges during Phases II-IV.  The design/build contract for Phase I is scheduled to be let in spring 2009. Replacement of the Oregon Inlet bridge is expected to be complete in 2014. The schedule for construction of the N.C. 12 bridges will be based on coastal conditions and the availability of funds.  The project is estimated to cost between $1.1 billion and $1.4 billion, which includes construction and maintenance costs through the year 2060.  To read the FEIS, view project maps and photos, and access bridge history, visit NCDOT’s Bonner Bridge Web site at http://www.ncdot.org/projects/bonnerbridgerepairs/.  Copies of the FEIS will also be available at the following locations by Oct. 6: Dare County public libraries in Hatteras Village, Kill Devil Hills and Manteo; the Fessenden Recreation Center in Buxton; the Dare County Planning and Inspections satellite office in Buxton; the Dare County Manager’s office in Manteo and the U.S. Post Office at 25969 N.C. 12 in Rodanthe. 

Public comments should be mailed to: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch, NCDOT, 1548 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1548. Citizens can also call or e-mail their comments to NCDOT Project Planning Engineer Beth Smyre, P.E. at (919) 733-7844 extension 333 or bsmyre@ncdot.gov.

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