The deteriorating Alligator River Bridge in North Carolina is a hurricane evacuation route and vital commercial and commuter bridge that connects North Carolina’s Outer Banks with the rest of the state. It is also in frequent disrepair, causing costly delays for travelers and commercial operations.

The Biden-Harris administration is addressing the issue by assigning $110 million to help replace the bridge. 

The new Alligator River Bridge in Dare and Terrell Counties will be funded by the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) discretionary grant program. This is one of nine projects across the country selected out of more than 100 applications seeking funding.

The current 62-year-old bridge is a two-lane swing-span bridge. Extensive renovations were done a decade ago, but problems with the draw span continue. About 4,000 boats pass through the bridge every year via the Intracoastal Waterway. Vehicle traffic is halted while the swing-span opens and closes. When the bridge malfunctions, drivers must take detours that can be 100 miles long.

President Biden’s $110 million award will support construction of a modern, high-rise, fixed-span bridge that will improve travel times and safety for cars, bikes, and pedestrians along the route between I-95 and the Outer Banks. 

The project is expected to create good-paying jobs, grow the economy, strengthen supply chains, improve mobility for residents, and make transportation systems safer.

For more information about the Mega Grants: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/president-biden-announces-first-its-kind-infrastructure-investment-nine-nationally