The Jug Handle Bridge was opened to foot traffic today. A one time treat for anyone willing to walk the 2.4 miles from one end to the other…and then back again. That’s 4.8 miles.
But it was a nice day—certainly way better than when the Marc C Basnight Bridge opened to pedestrians on February 9, 2019. That was an overcast day, with the temperature struggling to reach the low 40s and a northeast wind at 20. Some of managed to do the entire 5.6 mile round trip and the additional walk to the parking lot but the weather certainly added to the challenge.
Not today. Mixed sun and clouds, and temperature hovering around 60. All in all, a very pleasant day to walk along a bridge that may finally offer a reliable transportation link to Hatteras Island and Ocracoke.
Walking along the bridge, there are things that simply are not seen driving at 55 or 60 mph. Looking north, even though it 17 miles away, the Basnight Bridge can be clearly seen.In the slat marsh at the base of the bridge, gulls and terns swim in waters.
Looking toward the sea, NC 12 is still there, with traffic flowing through the S Curves. That road will be gone at some point. There is going to be short delay on that. Power lines are being switched over to the bridge, but that’s a time consuming and complex process that will take at least another six months. In the meantime Cape Hatteras Electric needs access to the power lines parallel to what will be the abandoned road.
It’s going to take at least another three weeks to get the bridge ready for cars and trucks. Walking along the roadbed, it was apparent that was the case. A number of expansion joints had wood in them and were waiting for there finished material. There are grooves that are cut into the surface for drainage and to give cars better traction. That still needed to be completed in some areas.
But it’s close, and by summer our visitors will be driving on it.
The summer is almost on us. Things are very close to full. If hoping to come to the Outer Banks for a vacations, consider fall as an option. The weather is wonderful and the hectic pace of summer has slowed a bit. A Brindley Beach Vacations home is the perfect option for a fall getaway.