NCDOT Using Glass, Carbon Fiber Technology On Bridge

Exciting things are on the horizon for North Carolina’s transportation future.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is replacing the Harkers Island Bridge using non-corroding, glass and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer materials.

NCDOT will replace swing-span Bridge No. 73 (Earl C. Davis Memorial) and Bridge No. 96, which together form the only vehicular link from the mainland to the island, with a fixed-span high-rise structure.

The Harkers Island Bridge will become the first fully-reinforced glass and carbon fiber bridge in the state. NCDOT expects the new design will better withstand the highly corrosive marine environment of the Carolina coast and extend the longevity of the bridge by decades.

“Typically, new bridges are designed for a service life of around 75 to 80 years,” said Trey Carroll, NCDOT project engineer. “By using glass and carbon fiber-reinforcement, we can expect the new structure to have an extended service life with more than a 100 year lifespan.”

Located in Carteret County on the southern end of the Outer Banks, the region locally known as “Down East,” Harkers Island is a coastal gem popular amongst avid fisherman and tourists.

The island’s first bridge was a wooden structure built in 1941 with a short service life of only 27 years. It was replaced in 1969 using concrete with steel reinforcement. Previous structures have been extremely vulnerable to deterioration due to the aggressive and corrosive environment of the coastal plain. The harsh salt water causes steelreinforced bridges to corrode at a more rapid rate, placing a hefty financial burden on NCDOT.