Tag Archives: Basnight

Local & State Officials Push for New Outer Banks Bridge

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Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks

Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks

It was recently announced that the replacement for Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks has run into delays, but local OBX and NC state officials are making a push to allow for the replacement of the troubled bridge.

The Bonner Bridge, spanning the Oregon Inlet on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is in need of repairs and/or replacement.  As with most major projects of this magnitude, the process is complicated, especially considering the environmental impact the project could have on the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

State Lawmakers have begun a letter writing campaign that is pressing for the replacement of the Bonner Bridge.  Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration decided that another environmental review would be needed in order to keep the project moving forward.  In response to the delays, Senator Mark Basnight and state Rep Tim Spear took charge in urging the members of the state delegation to intervene to get the project under way.  A letter urging action went to two US Senators and all of its Representatives.  The letter was also sent to Gov. Bev Purdue.   The Letter urged the EPA and the Army Corps to allow construction to begin immediately.  Here is an excerpt from the letter:

“The Congress and federal officials are responsible for creating this complex and repetitive maze of bureaucracy.  And it is the Congress and the federal government that must remove this barrier — the last obstacle to replacing this vital lifeline to Hatteras Island that continues to deteriorate more with every passing day.”

Ban on Plastic Bags?

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State Senator Marc Basnight is continuing his campaign to have plastic bags removed from all stores in North Carolina. 

At first Basnight’s goal was to remove the bags from stores on the Outer Banks Counties, but if this bill is successful, then it could be a law that would be imposed all over the state. 

In place of plastic bags would be bags that are made of 100% recycled paper.  

The Bill to have plastic bags removed from Dare, Hyde, and Currituck counties was passed on Wednesday.  The bill will only apply to retail outlets of more than 5000 square feet and with more than five stores in the state. “We sell beauty on the Outer Banks,” Basnight said.  “We want people to come to our community to spend time, to see sunsets, shoreline, water, but you also see these flimsy bags on the shoreline, on the Wright Brothers Memorial.” 

It seems the bill is being backed by politicians in both political parties, and environmentalists also back the bill, pointing out that plastic bags require energy to make and usually end up in landfills. 

Senator Stan Bingham, a Davidson County Republican who drives a vegetable oil-fueled car, shrugged at Basnight’s proposal.  “If that is what the county wants, that’s fine,” he said.  What about taking this bill statewide?  “Then we’ll talk,” said Bingham.  “In my district they’re more concerned about a job than plastic bags.”