A New Bridge over the Oregon Inlet, Outer Banks

PDH REQUEST FORM

Presented by Nick Burdette, HDR, Pittsburgh, PA

Traveling the scenic North Carolina Outer Banks on NC Highway 12 requires crossing Oregon Inlet, one of the most dangerous inlets on the Atlantic coast, where treacherous currents, constantly shifting bathymetry, and violent storms are normal occurrences. Since its completion in 1962, the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge served as that critical link between Hatteras and Bodie Islands. Unfortunately, the Bonner Bridge has suffered from severe scour and deterioration in the harsh marine environment, and has required nearly continual maintenance, repair, and retrofit. In 2011, NCDOT awarded a design-build contract to replace the bridge, requiring a 100-year service life, design for up to 84’ of scour, and minimal environmental impacts. The associated design and construction challenges created opportunities for innovation and creativity. The resulting 2.8 mile long bridge features extensive use of precast concrete construction for quality, durability, economy, and constructability, a first-of-its-kind driven pile foundation verification method, and innovative, environmentally-sensitive construction approaches.

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