Residents Swing in to Talk Bridge

Parking was so hard to find at the Surf City Community Center on Thursday afternoon that you could've easily assumed something fun like a rock concert was going on inside. But it wasn't entertainment pulling people inside, it was something over 300 people cared so deeply about that they felt the need to speak with the government about it. That thing is the proposed replacement of the current Swing Bridge into Surf City, to be built in 2015, connecting Topsail Island to the mainland. The first meeting, of what is sure to be several, took place in the recreation room at the Community Center and was intended as a way for residents to provide officials at the Department of Transportation with their opinions on the subject.

The Official

Ed Lewis is the head of Public Involvement and Community Studies with The Department of Transportation for the State of North Carolina. He was one of about two dozen state officials along with employees from RS&H Consultants who stood at booths covered with maps and discussing potential bridge options with Topsail Island residents.

"I handle and assist the department staff with their public outreach efforts in all 100 counties.

The event is a kickoff meeting for replacement of the bridge here at Surf City. It's been in place since 1955. It's coming to the end of it's operational life, so we've got to replace it. So we're not quite sure where we're going to place it or what type of bridge we're going to replace it with. Since we're starting off early, we're trying to get input from the public, we're letting them know how the process is going to work. And we're asking them questions since they live down here. What do they see? What do they want to talk about as far as the bridge is concerned? A lot of folks life the quaintness of the bridge - the bridge is the signature bridge for the whole island. Because when you come down 210, the first thing you see is that bridge and you know you have arrived," said Lewis.

Lee explained how current Swing Bridge was good for the time it was built, and even usable for today, but that all indications show it would almost certainly be outdated for the future.

"That bridge was built in ‘55 when there was not a lot of boat traffic or vehicular traffic, so it didn't have to open that much. It wasn't a problem. But with the development of the island, the increase in traffic and increase in boat traffic, the bridge is opening up more and more. The moving bridge is starting to wear out and it's getting harder and harder to replace it. So that's what the meeting today was about."

Lee said that the current construction estimates for the bridge are at about 25 million dollars along with one million more estimated for right-of-way costs; but he conceded that those numbers are subject to change and could likely increase.

"It's going to depend on location, the impact, the length of the bridge and things like that. And we'll update those numbers if we go forward. We've told people that out of 100 it's got a rating of a seven. And if you've got a rating of 50 or below, you're eligible to be replaced. That doesn't mean it's not safe. It's safe. We inspect it all the time to make sure it's safe. If it ever became unsafe, we'd have to look at seriously doing something else to deal with it. For right now it's fine, but we need to go ahead and look at how that structure is going to be replaced.

The purpose of the meeting was different depending on who you asked. Some residents came to offer their opinion to the DOT, while others came seeking information. Lee explained how officials were not there to provide the big answers on Thursday, but to hear from residents.

"Right now all we know is we've got to replace it, and we don't want to come in with any preconceived ideas -and we haven't. We want to hear what everybody has to say, but again, your looking at replacing in place; or replacing on the south side or the north side. The policy of the DOT is to go with a fixed span, because there's no operational costs, and the maintenance costs are lower. And the number that we're hearing for this bridge now are 150 to 300 thousand dollars a year to operate and maintain it. And in three years that's (close to) a million dollars. We could use that on another bridge in a division somewhere. Again, we've got to replace it and we're trying to put something back that fits in with the character out here, that's going to meet the purpose of the project which is a good connection from the mainland to the island. Right now our next public meeting is scheduled for next spring. Of course, if we need to come out between now and then, if something comes up, we will. We‚ll have some folks that will start doing some work out in the area, but just because they are in a certain area, that necessarily mean that's where the project is going to go. We will work and do research and analysis for both sides of the current bridge," said Lee.

The Resident

Ed Bean is one of several hundred residents of Topsail Island who stopped by the Community Center on Thursday to watch informational videos, speak with officials and even take notes on proposed bridge options. He joked that he might have more to say than anyone had time for, but he actually was just one of many people who had much to add to the debate over what to do about the current bridge situation.

"I work off island, so I travel over the bridge at least twice a day five times a week, if not more. At this point, I'm curious to see what they (officials) have to say and what the options are. I've got some preconceived ideas, but I'm willing to hold back on them and get a sense of what they are offering, what the relative costs involved are, and what the impact is to the look and feel of the island and the traffic. It seems to me that there is a lot to learn here and perhaps influence my thoughts at this point," said Bean immediately following a viewing of a short informational video provided by the DOT.

"I've done a bit of research and looked at the website. I've read what they've published, it looks like they are moving ahead cautiously, so we've got a lot of room for movement here and a lot of room for change. It will be interesting to see how much the general consensus really leads to what happens in the future," said Bean.

A general consensus is something that has yet to be, and may never be, achieved by island residents in regard to the bridge. Strong opinions are being expressed not just at official meetings, but in discussions among Topsail residents during their daily interactions.

"I've got friends and neighbors whom I respect that have a very decided view that we need a movable a bridge, and an equal number of acquaintances that have a pretty firm opinion that it should be a fixed bridge. I think the best thing is tempering my interest in learning enough about the different options available and what the relative cost is.

I'm also a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Surf City Fire Department, so I do have some thoughts and beliefs relative to public safety. I think one thing that would temper by concern would be access - how quickly can you get on and off the island? How weather resistant are the different structures going to be? How well do they lend themselves to evacuation? I also love riding a bicycle. Having ridden across the bridge many times, I hope that whatever they put up will accommodate pedestrians," said Bean.

While the construction of the new bridge is still years away, and the actual opening of that bridge is even more years away, some of the first steps towards a new way into Topsail Island started last Thursday. In several hundred more Thursdays, we will see whose ideas won out.