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New Alligator River Bridge Construction in Columbia, NC

An artist's impression of the new Alligator River Bridge design slated for construction in Columbia, NC.

News Summary

Columbia, North Carolina is set to begin the construction of the new Alligator River Bridge with a significant investment of $450 million. The project, which has been approved by the North Carolina Board of Transportation, includes improvements to travel lanes and safety features while enhancing the flow of both vehicle and boat traffic. The new bridge is scheduled to welcome traffic by fall 2029, ultimately replacing the outdated Lindsay C. Warren Bridge. This project aims to alleviate travel delays and improve accessibility to the Outer Banks.

Exciting Changes Coming to Columbia with New Alligator River Bridge

Columbia, North Carolina is buzzing with news that the long-awaited construction of the new Alligator River Bridge is set to begin, marking a significant upgrade for anyone traveling to and from the beautiful Outer Banks. With a whopping $450 million allocated for this project, it’s not just any regular facelift; it’s an entire transformation!

The Approval is In!

Thanks to the North Carolina Board of Transportation’s recent green light, this exciting venture can officially move forward. The funding will include a generous boost of $110 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which helps ensure that essential infrastructure projects receive the support they need.

Track the Progress

The construction contract has been awarded to Skanska USA, a company known for handling large and complex construction projects. While it’s always a bit tough to imagine change while waiting for a project to wrap up, the good news is that the new bridge is on track to welcome traffic by the fall of 2029. So, mark your calendars – new travel routes are on the horizon!

Meet the New Bridge

The current Lindsay C. Warren Bridge, built back in 1960, has certainly served its purpose but has become somewhat of a bottleneck for travelers. With its outdated swing-span design, it frequently experiences mechanical hiccups, causing significant delays and detours that can stretch up to 99 miles! Residents, like one from Columbia, have voiced their frustrations about the inconvenient delays and traffic issues. However, the new bridge promises to solve many of these headaches.

A Bridge for All

Imagine cruising across a new two-lane fixed-span bridge, located just north of the current one. The design focuses on not just efficiency but also accessibility, featuring 12-foot travel lanes alongside spacious 8-foot shoulders to make biking a breeze. Not only will the new structure rise to a height of 65 feet above the channel, eliminating the need for that inconvenient swing span, but it will also improve safety with taller railings reaching 4 feet 6 inches, a significant upgrade from the existing railings.

Boating and Beyond

For boating enthusiasts, this change is also a blessing in disguise. The current bridge sees more than 4,000 boats navigating through every year, often leading to dreaded wait times for travelers as boat traffic halts road movement. The new design promises to enhance both vehicle and boat traffic flow, making travel smoother for everyone involved.

When Will It Really Happen?

Now, as exciting as all this sounds, there’s still a lot of work to do. The initial phases of construction, including driving bridge pilings, are expected to kick off in the coming weeks—fingers crossed for good weather! As for the existing bridge, plans for its demolition are on track for spring 2030, a perfect reminder that change is indeed coming.

The Financial Rundown

It’s worth mentioning that the estimated price of this project has surged by 30% since 2023, a reflection of the rising construction costs that have followed the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these jumps in pricing, external estimates from the North Carolina Department of Transportation were in line with Skanska’s proposed contract price.

What Lies Ahead?

Lastly, while the new bridge is definitely something to look forward to, it’s important to keep in mind that the plans for widening U.S. 64 are still waiting on funding, leaving some uncertainties for the future. But for now, the prospects of the new Alligator River Bridge are enough to get anyone excited about traveling to the Outer Banks!

In conclusion, as we prepare for these enhanced travel conditions and the elimination of frustrating delays, it’s a great time to be a resident or visitor in Columbia. Stay tuned for updates, and happy travels!