COLUMBIA, N.C. (WAVY) — The long-awaited replacement of the Lindsay C. Warren Bridge, a vital link to the Outer Banks and a key hurricane evacuation route, is set to begin soon, with completion expected in the fall of 2029. A $450 million contract for the project has been awarded to Skanska USA.

The North Carolina Board of Transportation has approved the contract to replace the aging bridge, officially known as the Alligator River Bridge, which spans the Alligator River on U.S. 64 in Tyrrell and Dare counties.

The replacement will involve constructing a new, modern two-lane fixed-span, high-rise bridge just north of the current 65-year-old swing-span bridge. The new structure will feature two 12-foot travel lanes with 8-foot breakdown lanes.

“We’re excited to get started on this important project,” said a representative from Skanska USA. “In the coming weeks, we’ll begin driving bridge pilings, with clearing activities starting soon after, weather permitting.”

The project has received significant funding support, including a $110 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed in 2021.

The contract terms specify that the new bridge will open to traffic in fall 2029, with demolition of the old bridge scheduled for spring 2030.

The current Lindsay C. Warren Bridge, completed in 1960, plays a critical role in hurricane evacuations, but it has become increasingly unreliable. It is prone to occasional mechanical failures, which can lead to lengthy detours for drivers.

Although the bridge is rated as “structurally deficient,” the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has stressed that it remains safe. However, they noted that as the bridge approaches the end of its lifespan, it requires more frequent maintenance and monitoring.

“The work required to maintain the current bridge has negatively impacted its ability to provide a reliable connection between Columbia, Manns Harbor, Manteo, and the Outer Banks,” the NCDOT explained.

The new bridge is also expected to benefit river traffic, with more than 4,000 boats passing through the current bridge’s swing span annually.