Wright Memorial Bridge, Prestressed concrete bridge in Currituck County, US.
The Wright Memorial Bridge consists of two parallel structures that span across Currituck Sound, connecting Point Harbor on the mainland to Kitty Hawk on North Carolina's Outer Banks. The roadway carries traffic in both directions on separate bridge spans that rise above the water.
A wooden bridge first opened in 1930, creating the initial fixed crossing of the Sound and operating as a toll facility. The state acquired the structure in 1935 and eventually replaced it with the modern prestressed concrete spans that exist today.
The bridge forms a connection to the Wright brothers' legacy while serving as the principal gateway to North Carolina's Outer Banks recreational destinations.
The bridge is easily accessible for all vehicle sizes and provides a straightforward route across the Sound. Drive at normal speeds and be aware that wind gusts can occur, especially during rough weather conditions.
The first bridge carried a wooden archway at the Kitty Hawk end reading "Dare County" at the top, "1583 Birthplace of a Nation" on the left and "1903 Birthplace of Aviation" on the right. The 1930 span was built in six months by the W.L. Jones Company of Elizabeth City for $225,000 and charged $1 per trip until the state bought it in June 1935 for $150,000.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,705 contributors worldwide.