The crane will be used to maneuver heavy equipment that will be used to add a support structure under the bridge. The temporary fix will allow the road to remain open until the bridge undergoes a complete replacement. Construction on the new bridge is currently scheduled to begin Winter 2018-2019. The road is scheduled to re-open on Friday August 18.
The current bridge is notorious for its narrowness and wooden guardrails. Many accidents have happened at the bridge including a fatal incident in May. In that accident the driver, Matthew Brandon of Raleigh, ran into the bridge causing his vehicle to go over the bridge into the water.