NCDOT Bonner Bridge Project Violates Environmental Regulations

SELC and partners filed suit against the N.C. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration for violating the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to assess alternatives, dividing the proposed Bonner Bridge project into several pieces, and building an initial portion of the project (a replacement bridge) while delaying review of problematic later portions of the project (the access road to that bridge). If allowed to do so, the agencies would make a large and irretrievable commitment of resources that will effectively—and illegally—force the entire project to go forward notwithstanding the environmental consequences. 

The Bonner Bridge project threatens wildlife, wildlife habitat, and a pristine beach in the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and will cost taxpayers exorbitant amounts to rebuild as access road washout continues.