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Final remnant of historic bridge, first connection to Hatteras Island, opens as public pier

The last remnants of a historic bridge have been converted into a pedestrian walking pier, scheduled to open to the public on Friday.

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Final remnant of historic bridge, first connection to Hatteras Island, opens as public pier. Image courtesy of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
By
Heather Leah
, WRAL multiplatform producer
MANTEO, N.C. — The last remnants of a historic bridge have been converted into a pedestrian walking pier, scheduled to open to the public on Friday.

The Bonner Bridge was constructed in 1963, providing the first access to Hatteras Island aside from air or ferry. Now, a historic 1,046-foot-long section will remain as a fee free pier, accessible 24 hours a day.

Between the 1930s and 1960s, people debated whether or not a bridge would help or harm the Hatteras community. Some argued the "bridge would provide a lifeline connection to the rest of the world," while others worried "a bridge and inevitable influx in the population would ruin the character of the deserted and community-oriented island," according to an article on the bridge's history by Joy Crist.
Final remnant of historic bridge, first connection to Hatteras Island, opens as public pier

The bridge served as a source of tourism for decades, as well as an easy method of evacuation when hurricanes approached.

In the 2010s, the Bonner Bridge "reached the end of its functional lifespan," and the North Carolina Department of Transportation began a bridge replacement project. In 2019, the new Marc Basnight Bridge opened, replacing the Bonner Bridge, according to the National Park Service.

The Marc Basnight Bridge is expected to last over 100 years.

The remnants of the old Bonner Bridge will not only serve as a piece of history, but also help train the ocean current into the center of the inlet to aid navigation as a pedestrian and fishing structure.

Final remnant of historic bridge, first connection to Hatteras Island, opens as public pier

Parking for approximately 70 vehicles is available near the pier. Additionally, portable restrooms and trash receptacles are available for public use.

Rules for using the new pier can be found at the entrance to the Bonner Bridge Pier and on Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Bonner Bridge Pier webpage.

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