Ocracoke and Hatteras islands will be on diesel generators Wednesday and Thursday (Feb 27 and 28) while the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative energizes and tests new electric transmission cables from the old Bonner Bridge to the new bridge.
In addition, the power will be out briefly in Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo and Avon on the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, Feb. 27: 30-minute outage beginning at 8 a.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 28: 5-minute outage beginning at 2 p.m.
The cooperative (CHEC) also said in a press release that additional planned outages may occur, depending on the weather, over the next several weeks while they make the final switch to the new cables.
The bridge transmission cables have been in the process of being moved since November and the process is one of the final steps for officially opening the new bridge to the public.
“The cables on the existing bridge were (installed) in the 1990s, and were reaching the end of their lifespan,” said Laura Ertle, CHEC director of marketing and public relations, in an earlier interview. “So this is a brand new set of cables at the new bridge site.”
The cables were installed underneath the bridge via a hanging conduit system, which provides more security as well during storms and inclement weather conditions.
The new Bonner Bridge replacement opened to vehicular traffic today (Feb. 25).
