RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - It will have a 100-year life span when it opens in November 2018. With the turn of a shovel, state and coastal officials on Tuesday officially broke ground on the new Bonner Bridge that will span the Oregon Inlet.

The bridge will replace the ailing existing bridge as a key lifeline to the mainland for the residents and visitors to the Outer Banks.

“The new Bonner Bridge will be built with the best materials available to protect it against the harsh salt air and water and will be the first in the state built using stainless reinforcing steel, which will provide additional protection and reduce maintenance costs," said Secretary Nick Tennyson, who was on hand for the event.

Construction of the new bridge had been mired in litigation since 2011. When Gov. Pat McCrory took office, he instructed his team to bring the bridge to fruition.