North Carolina: Alligator River Bridge

A Sterling Example of America’s Infrastructure Renewal

Challenge: The Alligator River Bridge in Eastern North Carolina near the Outer Banks is a two-lane, swing-span bridge completed in 1962. More than 4,000 boats pass through the area every year, forcing vehicle traffic to stop while the swing-span opens and closes. Though maintained, the aging structure experiences occasional technical issues that can force motorists onto a 99-mile detour. During hurricane evacuations the bridge serves lifeline for residents seeking higher ground.

Solution: With help from the federal infrastructure investment law, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is moving forward with a plan to replace the aging structure with a new, two-lane, fixed-span bridge just to the north of the old one, allowing both marine and vehicle traffic to pass unimpeded. The project plan, known as STERLING (Strengthening Transportation Evacuation Resilient Lifeline by Improving the Network’s Grid) also calls for installation of broadband infrastructure along U.S. 64 from I-95 in Rocky Mount to N.C. 12 on the Outer Banks.

What they’re saying: “Highway 64 and the Alligator River Bridge provide a critical ingress and egress to Dare County and the Outer Banks. Funding for a replacement has been a long time coming, and it is something that our board has advocated for over a number of years. The existing 60-year-old structure is narrow, dangerous and has become unreliable. Kudos to NCDOT for seeking the federal grant funds needed to make this project move forward, and thanks to both our state and federal legislators for all of their support.” – Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard (Island Free Press, 01/05/2023)