Airs Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m.
The Bonner Bridge is a lifeline for Hatteras Island, but the 50-year-old structure’s rapidly deteriorating condition is a public hazard. Everyone agrees that it needs to be replaced, but that’s where the common ground ends. The new WRAL Documentary “Bridge in Troubled Water” examines the debate, which has pitted state leaders against leading environmentalists and neighbor against neighbor. The documentary, hosted by WRAL News anchor Bill Leslie, airs Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m.
Bonner Bridge was supposed to have been replaced in 1993. The state wants to build a new bridge parallel to the old one. Environmentalists support a much longer 17-mile bridge in Pamlico Sound that would avoid the treacherous Oregon Inlet. The longer bridge would also by-pass Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and sections of highway 12 that regularly wash out. With a lawsuit stalling the bridge’s replacement, tensions between both sides have flared. “Bridge in Troubled Water” examines the controversy through interviews with island residents, environmental groups, state leaders, economic experts and scientists.
Statewide Broadcast Schedule
WRAL-TV/Raleigh – Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m.
WILM-TV/Wilmington – Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m.
WRAZ-TV/Durham – Saturday, April 5 at 2:30 p.m.
To watch a preview of the documentary, go to http://www.wral.com/ and search: WRAL doc.
The documentary will also be available for on-demand viewing any time after the premiere television broadcast on April 2.
Watch and discuss on twitter using #bonnerbridge.
WRAL Documentary is one of the only dedicated documentary units in local TV. Its mission is to provide in-depth coverage of topics and issues relevant to North Carolinians.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Debbie Tullos for this capcom story.
