Rodanthe Bridge

The Rodanthe Bridge project on the Outer Banks of North Carolina replaced a key section of North Carolina Highway 12 known locally as the S-curves, subject to frequent flooding and washouts. The bridge now provides a safe, reliable, easier-to-drive elevated roadway for residents and tourists connecting the mainland to Rodanthe and other Outer Banks barrier islands.  

Building the 2.4-mile span extending into Pamlico Sound required innovative approaches to protect the environmentally sensitive shallow-water area. Using industry-standard methods of construction, such as barges, was not possible, so the project team developed the Advancing Rail System.

Unlike a standard work-trestle approach, the system combines the ability to straddle the newly built bridge structure and to leapfrog temporary work sections. This capability allowed easier movement of the massive concrete piles that support the bridge. Throughout the project, crews utilized this innovation to effectively place 294 concrete cylinder piles.

The Advancing Rail System also helped the team significantly reduce environmental disruption to the surrounding areas. Although permitted to impact up to 10 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation, the system reduced the potential impact by 90%, disturbing just one acre.