The contract amount is $25.8 million less than the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) estimated cost to build the new bridge.
“We’ve spent 20 years working hard to make a new bridge a reality, and it’s exciting to reach this step in the process,” said secretary Gene Conti. “We look forward to starting construction on this critically important project, which will provide a safer, more reliable way for residents and visitors to get from Hatteras Island to the mainland.”
The existing Bonner Bridge was built in 1962. In the past 10 years, NCDOT has spent US$26.5 million rehabilitating the 4.16km bridge to address the deterioration that comes with age in its coastal setting. The bridge over Oregon Inlet has a sufficiency rating of four out of 100. NCDOT stressed that this does not mean the bridge is unsafe; but the bridge no longer meets the needs of today’s motorists.
NCDOT required the three design-build teams vying for the contract to use stainless reinforcing steel in much of the bridge for improved durability in the harsh coastal environment. The department also required that the teams use concrete additives to increase its durability. With these factors, NCDOT expects the new bridge to last more than 100 years.
Design work is scheduled to start in the next few weeks, with construction beginning in late 2012.
