Industrial History: 1953+2025 Onslow Beach Bridges over Intracoastal Waterway at Onslow Beach, NC

1953: (Archived Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

2025: (300' (91m) northeast of the existing bridge)

They are replacing the swing bridge in 2024 because it was damaged by the 2018 Florence Hurricane.

The average daily traffic with 25% truck is 300. The bypass/detour length is 199km (123 miles). The bridge is 116m long with a max span of 33m. [news-leader] Daily averages can be misleading. I'll but the traffic is a lot higher on weekends in the Summer.

Mar 8, 2023:

mil, Photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds, Public Domain
The concrete girders are 124' (38m).
dvidshub

It looks like the replacement will be a single-leaf trunnion bridge.

mil, Public Domain

navcen
[I do not understand why the bascule bridge doesn't have unlimited clearance when it is open. Normally, it is lift bridges that have an open restriction.]

The swing bridge was a steel girder span rather than a truss span. That is unusual for a swing bridge.

wnct

dvidshub, Photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds, Public Domain

"A cofferdam is being cleaned out to prepare for a portion of the Bascule bridge and future bridge tender house for the newly constructed Onslow Beach Bridge on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 8, 2023."

OICC Florence posted eight photos with the comment:

🚧🌉 Bridge Update: Onslow Beach Bridge - P1387 Project 🌉🚧
Hey everyone! Exciting news from the Onslow Beach Bridge front! 🎉 Our P1387 project just achieved a significant milestone. Last Friday, two out of five enormous 64,000 lb. concrete beams were successfully placed on one side of the bridge. And guess what? The remaining three beams find their new home today, March 29, 2024! 🏗️✨
This wasn’t just any ordinary operation; it required the synchronized strength of two cranes working in tandem to carefully position these giants. The precision and teamwork displayed were nothing short of impressive.
But there’s more to this bridge than its beams. The P1387 project introduces an innovative bascule bridge design to Onslow Beach. This isn’t just any bridge; it's a gateway promising more reliable access for our Marine Corps units and all beach enthusiasts. 🏖️💙
What makes this bridge stand out? Its increased elevation is a game-changer, ensuring larger vessels can glide smoothly underneath without a hitch. Plus, the bridge’s modern design includes a state-of-the-art bridge tenders’ house and a coffered dam constructed with underwater precision by divers. This feature supports the counterweight of the single leaf bascule bridge, showcasing engineering excellence at its finest.
Remember the original bridge from the 1950s? While it served us well, its time had come, especially after the challenges posed by Hurricane Florence. This new structure is not just a replacement; it's a testament to resilience, innovation, and commitment to both our community and the environment. 🌍💪
A big shoutout to everyone involved in bringing this vision to life. Your hard work is paving the way (quite literally!) for a brighter, more connected future. Let’s celebrate this remarkable achievement and the many benefits it brings to our community and its visitors.
👏👏👏 Here’s to smooth sailing and sunny days ahead at Onslow Beach, Camp Lejeune!

The Walsh Group shared with the comment: "#WalshAtWork on Camp Lejeune!"