The N.C. Department of Transportation selected Alternative 5 as the preferred design – also referred to as the preferred alternative – for replacing the Harkers Island Bridges.
Preferred Alternative: Alternative 5 Map
Note: The Alternative 5 map shown is from the March 2017 Public Meeting.
The preferred alternative replaced the existing bridges with one fixed-span bridge located to the east of the current roadway alignment.
The Earl C. Davis Memorial Bridge (Bridge No. 73) was removed, but Bridge No. 96 will remain in place to provide pedestrian access to the Straits Fishing Pier.
The new bridge includes a 45-foot vertical navigational clearance through the channel span, eliminating vehicular and vessel delays due to bridge openings and closings.
NCDOT explored different design options to incorporate and address concerns received from the community. NCDOT, along with various federal and state environmental regulatory agencies determined that Alternative 5 best fits the purpose and need of the project while addressing public concerns and needs.
Categorical Exclusion Completed
NCDOT completed the required federal environmental documentation, a Categorical Exclusion, in October 2017 summarizing the purpose and need for the project, public involvement efforts, replacement alternatives analysis, costs and impacts and reasoning for the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative/Preferred Alternative selected.
A list of all approved reports related to and/or in conjunction with the Harkers Island Bridge Replacements Project can be found within the Categorical Exclusion document.
The document is available for review at the NCDOT Division 2 office, 2815 Rouse Road Extension, Kinston, N.C. 28504.