The nearby town of Sunset Beach’s brand new span bridge is finally open!
The $32 million Intracoastal Waterway span was finally pronounced ready for its first traffic crossings and traffic started this week.
The span opened at about 3:15 Thursday afternoon, English Construction Co. project superintendent Mark Hackney said.
The opening followed when the striping work of the bridge’s traffic lanes was completed on Thursday afternoon.
At the same time, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, also was the last day of public operation of the old Sunset Beach pontoon bridge.
A sad day to many, if not all, who live in the area and visitors alike. Even those who championed the new bridge, seeing it as a necessity, will have a place in their hearts for the old bridge and its memories it signifies. To many the old bridge was a symbol of a quieter, slower paced way of life that they see as being lost to progress. But time marches on and the new bridge will bring a new era to Sunset Beach, NC.
The bridge’s opening was initially projected for August or September but unexpected construction delays, delivery of materials and uncooperative weather conditions the date to be moved back.
The bridge was recently christened as the Mannon C. Gore Bridge in honor of the Sunset Beach founder.
