Bonner Bridge Facts | Historical + New Facts

The Bonner Bridge is an Outer Banks staple for those who visit Hatteras Island. On February 25th, 2019 after two years of construction, the new replacement bridge is now open for business! Vehicles can now travel from Nags Head to Hatteras Island on the brand-new bridge. The Herbert C. Bonner bridge is a huge piece of Outer Banks history providing a new way of transportation onto Hatteras Island. Here’s a quick rundown of facts that you need to know about the brand-new replacement bridge!

1. Construction on the new bridge began in March 2016.

2. The new bridge is about 2.8 miles long, rises 90 feet over Oregon Inlet, and cost $252 million dollars.

3. Marc Basnight was an Outer Banks native and served as an NC state senator. The new bridge is named in his honor.

4. The Marc Basnight bridge should last 100 years or more.

5. In 1963, the original Herbert C. Bonner bridge was open for business. The bridge allowed access to Hatteras Island by vehicle rather than ferry.

6. An informal ceremony was held for pedestrian walking and running on February 9th, 2019.

7. The old Hatteras Island bridge survived harsh elements for 56 years. Originally, it was only supposed to last for 20.

8. A new pedestrian walkway uses 1,000 feet of the original Bonner Bridge. However, the rest of the old bridge was used to make an artificial coral reef.

9. The new bridge was formally dedicated in April 2019.

10. The Marc Basnight bridge is thoroughly protected against the salt water of Oregon Inlet. In addition, this bridge is the first bridge in North Carolina to be built with this technology.