Section of old Bonner Bridge collapses during demolition

[Yonnie3]

From OBX Today by Sam Walker

One of the last remaining sections of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet collapsed on Wednesday.

Emergency responders were called to Oregon Inlet just before 5 p.m. One of the two remaining sections of the navigation span in the middle of the inlet appeared to have collapsed.

At least one person has been reported hurt by Dare County EMS on radio traffic. Other details about the incident were not yet available.

https://www.obxtoday.com/section-of-old-bonner-bridge-collapses-during-demolition/


Links to the two traffic cams at the bridge, but DU can't handle their format so you'll need to cut and paste to a brower

tims.ncdot.gov/tims/cameras/viewimage.ashx?id=BonnerBridgeSouth.jpg

tims.ncdot.gov/tims/cameras/viewimage.ashx?id=BonnerBridgeHighRise.jpg

They update about every 20 minutes. To see updated images a refresh is required

[underpants]

1. So will Richmond and Hampton Roads still be able to get to OBX????

Will they? WILL THEY????😔😣😫

Actually we were looking at some houses in Corolla- pretty affordable still.

[PJMcK]

3. Yeah, that won't be a problem

The collapsed bridge is quite far south of Richmond and Hampton Roads. It's south of Nags Head but before Cape Hatteras.

ETA: There's a new bridge that's bigger, better and prettier and the collapse was the old retired bridge.

[PJMcK]

2. Yikes

Oregon Inlet is an important waterway between The Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound on the inside of the Outer Banks Islands. I hope the debris doesn't clog the inlet.

The new bridge/causeway is beautiful and higher as well as better protected from storms. The views as you drive over it are spectacular!

The state is building another causeway/bridge (see what I did?!) at Rodanthe that will bypass the village. They have a tremendous over-wash problem in that stretch of Route 12 with water and sand often covering the roadway. The new bridge will make that stretch of roadway more protected.

The OBX has a real problem in the future. Ocracoke Island is only 2-6 feet above sea level and flooding is a common occurrence.

[Yonnie3]

4. OBX was a lot less crowded before they built the Bonner Bridge in the early sixties

The Oregon Inlet ferry was how you got to Pea Island and then drove onward to Hatteras. When I first went to Ocracoke the ferry was privately operated. Ocracoke Town was the dead end of NC-12 and the road was a single lane of military surplus interlocking steel matting, not much to fix when it washed out.

I was in the campground on Ocracoke (where the big parking lot near the ferries is now) when the first ferry left to the south. There was a big celebration. Ocracoke is much different now.

[PJMcK]

5. Ocracoke is big in our family

My wife has owned a beach box there for almost 25 years. She built it as an investment and used it as a vacation rental property. Over the years, I calculated that she's earned 7.5 times her original investment and now she's selling for a very tidy sum. Time to leave, you know?

Much of the OBX is a victim of its success. It's so incredibly crowded during the summer season that the islands have lost their charm.

Still, it's incredibly beautiful with some of the best beaches in the world.

[Yonnie3]

6. My family too

It is the final resting place of my parents.

[PJMcK]

7. As an Ocracoke might say...

(In a proper brogue)
'Tis a fine place to rest one's bones.

I hope your memories are fond and full of love, Yonnie3.