DOT seeks OK to open Hertford S-Bridge remotely

The opening and closing of Hertford’s new S Bridge could soon happen by remote control.

Currently, N.C. Department of Transportation Bridge Maintenance employees open and close the bridge for vessels too tall to pass under the span by using controls located in the bridge tender’s house located on the bridge.

But according to Tim Hass, communications officer for DOT’s Division I, department officials are now waiting for approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to begin opening and closing the bridge remotely.

Hass said DOT asked for approval from the chief of the Bridge Branch at the Fifth Coast Guard District in Portsmouth, Virginia, and is still awaiting word on its request.

“Our remote operation plan was forwarded to the United States Coast Guard for approval late last summer,” Hass said in an email. “Their review generated several questions which were answered during our resubmittal earlier this year.”

Haas suggested the new swing bridge, because of its height, isn’t being opened as much as the bridge it replaced.

“Bridge maintenance personnel informed me that they are opening the swing span two times per month on average,” he said. “It should be noted that this new structure has nearly twice the navigational clearance of the old structure which effectively reduced openings by 90%.”

The new S-Bridge, which opened in 2022, replaced a bridge that had been in operation since 1929. While serving as a functional link between the towns of Winfall and Hertford, the bridge was also a tourist attraction. Images of it appeared on town and county logos.

Back in September, Hertford Town Council approved relocating the truss from the former bridge to Missing Mill Park as part of the town’s Riverfront and Community Development Plan. DOT approved roughly $800,000 for the project. The plan is to convert the S-Bridge truss into a walkway and fishing platform.