Sunset Beach Bridge Video
May 10, 2009 by gary
Filed under Around The Town
The Sunset Beach bridge has been more controversial than the Wall Street bailout on local terms. There have been those who feel a new bridge is a must for safety and security reasons and those who want to keep the old swing bridge in place at any cost. A local preservation group has battled for years to keep the old bridge.
After years of court battles progress has won out and a new span bridge is under way at Sunset Beach.
The old bridge is a wooden, one lane, pontoon bridge. Built in 1961, it is part of Sunset Beach’s history and is said to be the last of its kind on the East Coast. Manon Gore, the developer of Sunset Beach, built the bridge and in the old days you had to honk your horn twice outside of his nearby house for him to come open the bridge..
Construction on the new 65 foot high span bridge began in February of this year. Completion is targeted for sometime in 2010. The arc bridge will ensure that visitors and residents are safe. The bridge will have two 12 foot travel lanes, will be a half mile long and will also have a pedestrian lane for bikes and foot travel.
I thought the old bridge was neat. I hope this does not bring more people to Sunset Beach, we liked the beach because it was a family beach. Someone needed to think about it before they started construction on the new bridge.
Sunset Beach has been our Maryland family vacation spot for 20 years. The memories will last forever.I pray the new bridge does not bring problems that destroy the calm, relaxing and beauty of Sunset Beach.
The new bridge will be a blessing to us, residents of the island of Sunset. Although it may bring more visitors it will help with the hour long waits with milk and ice cream spoiling in the backseat after a “quick trip” to the grocery store. Thank you English Construction for all your hard work.
i have been coming to sunset baech with my whole extended family for more than 25 years. The old bridge is just as mutch a part of my memories as anything and i disspise the new bridge, I can however understand safety and conveniance concerns.I don t see why they can’ t just keep the old one open for boat trafic permenently without destroying it.
I really like the old bridge. It is part of what makes history and memories for families whom visit the island. And its no big deal for getting food or ice cream for that matter. Everybody knows it opens on the hour you just have to put a little bit of planning into your routine. Love the island
NC has the best beaches!!! Just moved to Oak Island and would like to encourage everyone to come see this beautiful place!
My family vacations there from Buffalo, NY , we all have mixed feelings about the bridge. I will miss the charm and character of the old, but the new will be much quicker and safer. Like many of you have said I hope it does not bring to many people into my little secret paradise.
This beach is absolutely beautiful. It is a fantastic place for a family vacation. I always thought the bridge added a little adventure to the trip, as it has been there for as long as I can remember. We will miss it!
We have been coming to Sunset Beach for about 20 years and 3 years ago finally bought a condo on the mainland so we can visit more often. We loved the old bridge; even when we had to wait to cross because of a boat, it was a reminder that now was the time to slow down and savor the beauty of the area. We would turn off the car and just listen to the wind and the birds. The new bridge is an eyesore and destroys the tranquility that we have always found there. Hopefully it will not destroy the island by bringing in more people that the island can hande.