Topsail Island's Swing Bridge's Days Are Numbered

From the July 14-20, 2015, Topsail Advertiser "New Surf City high-rise bridge gets green light from DOT" by Courtney Sullivan.

State approves $46 million contract to replace popular swing bridge.

SURF CITY--  "For many vacationers, the sight of the Surf City swing bridge has been the unofficial start of their beach vacation on Topsail Island since the 1950s..

"But the end of the swing bridge era will start this fall as construction begins on a new high-rise bridge for the island.

That swing bridge, so-named because it swings to the side to allow boat traffic to go under it, is a neat thing, but definitely not so neat if you get stuck waiting for a long time when it is allowing boats to pass.  The lines can back up for miles on the weekends.

The only other connection to the mainland for 26 mile long island is a high-rise bridge nine miles north of Surf City in North Topsail Beach.

The new bridge will be 65-feet high, so boats will be able to pass under it with no problem.

Here's hoping that Surf City or Topsail Island will keep the old sweing bridge and put it in a park or use it as a fishing pier.

Swing Me--  Cooter