Photo: Outer Banks Task Force

View from the Deck
Bridge talk is all the rage

by Rick Kinnaird

I just reread last month’s View from the Deck which was entitled
Where did April go? I’m now telling myself “If we don’t get the May issue out soon, it’s going to be June." I guess it's time to ask "Where did May go?"

The big talk on the island is about the Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet. The fact that it got a really low rating from the state bridge inspection team (4 out of 100) was big news. We learned, however, that this rating doesn’t take into account repairs that have been made. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been inspecting the bridge and, hopefully, it’s not as bad as everyone is saying.

There's discussion about the new bridge and whether to replace it in its current location (short span) or build a 17-mile long bridge that would bypass Pea Island and come ashore in Rodanthe (long span). Officials, environmentalists and residents are considering the options. I spoke with Don Idol at North Carolina's Department of Transportation to get the scoop. Click here to read the article.

There’s a lot happening on Hatteras as the season rolls into full swing, yet life remains the same. Fishing was okay but southwest winds stirred up the water and made things muddy some of the time. But one person’s loss is another person’s gain – the kite surfing has been awesome.

But the best news of the month is that the Pigman is coming to Buxton. (Shelby is very excited.) The famed Pigman's BBQ of Kill Devil Hills has opened in Buxton at the old Angelo’s Restaurant. Click here to read more about it.