History was made on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in Harkers Island when the new high-rise bridge officially opened. More than 300 community members, Harkers Island Elementary School students, dignitaries, and Department of Transportation representatives gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The bridge, the first in the state to be built with mostly carbon-fiber reinforced steel, opened more than a year ahead of schedule.

Before construction on the new bridge could begin, the cooperative had to relocate its transmission line that traversed The Straits between mainland Carteret County and Harkers Island. Relocation of the transmission line took place in 2021.

Several CCEC Directors joined in the festivities on Tuesday. Directors Amy Lock and Jim Schmitt were some of the first community members to complete the walk over the new bridge.