New bridge to Surf City opens early, officials say it will ease beach traffic

SURF CITY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The new bridge to Surf City opened this week -- nearly a year ahead of schedule.

The bridge was built to replace the existing swing bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway on N.C. 50/210.

The new bridge has a 65-foot vertical clearance that will not need to open for vessels in the waterway, eliminating vehicle and vessel traffic delays from the bridge opening and closing.

It will also provide a connecting structure between the mainland and the island that has sufficient capacity allowing for emergency access, hurricane evacuation and acceptable travel times.