MANNS HARBOR – The North Carolina Department of Transportation said Thursday it is now set to close the Old Manns Harbor Bridge on U.S. Highway 64 early next month as what officials call “a critical phase” in the extensive, $33 million project to restore the structure begins.
The William B. Umstead Bridge, as it’s more formally known, over Croatan Sound is to close June 3 for an estimated six months, according to the announcement. On April 2, NCDOT announced the bridge would close temporarily in mid-May.
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Motorists who travel between Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island are advised to use the Virginia Dare Bridge instead.
NCDOT said that during the closure, all 313 concrete spans on the bridge will be repaired and each of the 170 expansion joints will be replaced.
Officials said that, given the extent of the restoration work and the narrow lanes on the 69-year-old bridge, the decision to close the bridge entirely during this phase was 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 department said.
The bridge is scheduled to partially reopen later this year.
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Officials said the 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.
