MANNS HARBOR – The William B. Umstead (locally known as the Old Manns Harbor) Bridge on U.S. 64 over Croatan Sound will be closing June 3 for an estimated six months as a $33 million bridge preservation project enters a critical phase.
During the closure, all 313 concrete spans on the bridge will be repaired and each of the 170 expansion joints will be replaced. Given the extent of the restoration work and the narrow lanes on the 69-year-old bridge, the N.C. Department of Transportation has determined that a complete bridge closure is preferable to completing the work under single lane closures. In addition, epoxies and other materials to be used in the preservation work are best used in warm temperatures, meaning a summer and fall closure was the best way to avoid costly delays.
The bridge is scheduled to reopen with lane closures in the late fall or early winter. In the meantime, drivers traveling between Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island can use the Virginia Dare Bridge as an alternate route.
The bridge project is not expected to impact the purple martins that nest in the bridge during July and August, as work will not occur between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. during nesting season.
The entire bridge preservation project is scheduled to be complete in late 2026.