Emergency responders, school officials plan for impending bridge closure

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The Oak Island G.V. Barbee Bridge closure is a little more than a month away and Brunswick County Schools and Oak Island emergency personnel have been working to make this a seamless transition.

Emergency responders on Oak Island are making sure they have all their bases covered for this closure.

“Our main goal is to make sure that the services that we do right now with that bridge open, are not interrupted when the bridge is closed. But to do that, we have to have the help of Sunny Point and St. James,” said Fire Chief Chris Anselmo.

Anselmo says they are teaming up with St. James and Sunny Point Fire Departments.. to make sure every part of the island has enough emergency personnel. During the closure, Anselmo’s team will be split between the surrounding stations.

“I’m sure there’s enough people on the island to take care of what we need to do. And they all work together,” said Oak Island resident Varie Warren.

Warren has been on the island for years, and she is confident that safety will remain a priority.

“So really, it’s just a team effort with everyone in the area. And everybody has been willing to do whatever needs to be done,” said Anselmo.

Emergency personnel are not the only ones prepping for change. Brunswick County Schools have already changed their bus routes and added two new routes.

The district says it will take a few more days to figure out the best plan, but they are already acting like the bridge is closed.

“Sometimes you have to just wing it to the best that you can, but we try to prepare for everything. You try to get as close to it as possible, but you just can’t prepare for everything,” said Anselmo.

Anselmo says the county is dividing resources and making sure each resident is safe and accounted for. He also says the town has even increased his budget for an extra part-time responder.

Brunswick County Schools have already been monitoring the new routes.