State Plans to Sink Old Bridge as Reef
North Carolina will dismantle the aging Lindsay C. Warren Bridge and drop its spans into Albemarle Sound to create an artificial reef.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in National Parks
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North Carolina officials plan to dismantle the Lindsay C. Warren Bridge and sink its 300 spans into Albemarle Sound as an artificial reef covering 125 acres. The 2.8-mile bridge, built in 1960 and rated structurally deficient, will be replaced by a new 3-mile U.S. 64 bridge scheduled to open in fall 2028.
Why it matters
The existing bridge is reaching the end of its lifecycle and requires more frequent monitoring, inspection and maintenance. Its condition also weakens reliable travel between Columbia, Manns Harbor, Manteo and the Outer Banks, which the new span is meant to address.
The proposed reef will cover 125 acres of sand about 3.5 miles northeast of the mouth of Alligator River, at a depth of 15 feet. Each reef section measures 60 feet by 30 feet, and the state's Division of Marine Fisheries already maintains 72 artificial reefs.
The players
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
The state agency that manages North Carolina's coastal fisheries and oversees the state's network of artificial reefs.
The details
The old bridge's spans will be cut into 60-foot by 30-foot sections and dropped into Albemarle Sound once the new bridge opens and the old structure is closed and disassembled. Construction on the replacement bridge began in early 2025.
Timeline
Early 2025: Construction on the new bridge began.
Nov. 4: State officials issued a news release on the bridge.
Dec. 3: Public informational meeting on the Albemarle Sound reef at College of the Albemarle.
Fall 2028: New bridge scheduled to open and dismantling of the old bridge begins.
Roadmap
The state's Division of Marine Fisheries already maintains 72 artificial reefs, and this project extends that program by converting a retired highway structure into marine habitat. It follows a long-established practice of using decommissioned infrastructure to build fish habitat along the coast.
Drivers on U.S. 64 between Columbia and the Outer Banks should expect the old bridge to remain in service until the new span opens in fall 2028. Travelers planning trips through the corridor should check for route changes as the replacement nears completion.
The takeaway
Repurposing retired infrastructure as reef habitat can turn a costly demolition into a lasting benefit for marine life. The project shows how replacement bridges can open coastal corridors while leaving useful structures behind underwater.
What happens next
The new bridge is scheduled to open in fall 2028, after which work to dismantle the old bridge will begin.
Further reading
Explore more on the state's coastal destinations in our National Parks coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Charlotte Observer.
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