The old Ocean Isle Beach Bridge was in service from 1958 until the current high rise “Odell Williamson Bridge” replaced it in 1986.
Located to the west of the current bridge, it was accessed from Old Causeway Drive which runs in front of the fire station. It crossed over the Intracoastal Waterway and joined the island through what is now a parking lot for the island’s boat ramp. Old Causeway Drive continues in front of The Ocean Isle Fishing Center and Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant.
The Old Ocean Isle Beach Bridge was a “Swing Bridge” and rotated on a central pedestal to turn parrallel to the waterway to allow boats to travel north and south on either side of it.
Some of us who were around back then remember the thrill of driving over the bridge – cars in the 1970s were much wider and it was a very narrow bridge!
After the bridge was decommissioned it was towed out into the ocean on a barge and dumped to create an artificial fishing reef. We’d love to see a video or a photograph from down below. We envision sharks and other vreatures gliding through the steel uprights that once flashed by outside our car windows!
Click Here To Buy “The Old Ocean Isle Beach Bridge” Online
