TRAFFIC ALERT: Intermittent Lane Closures on old Oak Island Bridge this week

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will continue intermittent lane closures on the G.V. Barbee Bridge (Old Oak Island Bridge) over the Intracoastal Waterway from Monday September 21-Friday September 25th, 2015. The work will be performed from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day for inspections, weather permitting.

The closures are necessary for bridge inspectors to perform biannual inspections of the bridge. The Federal Highway Administration requires all bridges to be inspected once every two years. All bridges go through a natural deterioration or aging process, although each bridge is unique in the way it ages. Regular inspections help the department identify whether a bridge needs maintenance and repairs, then will schedule them accordingly.

If NCDOT inspectors find a safety concern, the bridge will be repaired or closed immediately until repairs can be made. If necessary, NCDOT will post weight restrictions on a bridge. The department will not keep a bridge open if it is determined to be unsafe.

Motorists will be directed by a flagger and portable message siqns. with one lane remaining open at all times and are advised to use caution while traveling in the area and expect delays. NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for closure information, stay aleft and obey the posted speed limit.

For additional information regarding the dates and times of this closure, please visit http://www.ncdot.org and click on “Travel & Maps” then, click on “Traveler Information Management System” and use the dropdown menus for county or route, or call “511” from any phone.