When will bridges close due to bad weather?

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Perhaps the biggest question we get whenever there’s a hurricane or tropical storm is when will they close the bridges? There’s no single answer. It all depends on which bridge you’re talking about.

In Brunswick County, the G.V. Barbee Bridge and Swains Cut Bridge to Oak Island will close when winds reach 40 mph sustained. The bridge to Holden Beach closes when the wind reaches 45 mph sustained. In Ocean Isle Beach, the Odell Williamson Bridge will close with sustained winds of 50 mph or greater, which is the same threshold for the Mannon Gore Bridge at Sunset Beach.

In New Hanover County, the Snows Cut Bridge to Pleasure Island will close with sustained winds of 45 mph or more, and a curfew will be issued with it. The Heide Trask Drawbridge to Wrightsville Beach will only close if there is a mandatory evacuation. The Cape Fear Memorial and Isabel Holmes bridges will not close during the storm unless there is structural damage.

And in Pender County, the Surf City Swingbridge does not close for vehicles. We are told North Topsail Beach typically closes the bridge on its end of the island at 40 mph sustained.

The NCDOT says any bridge with a movable span is closed to marine traffic at 45 mph sustained winds.

When bridges reopen following a storm, some towns will request a town ID to return.