New $23M Castle Bridge at least four years away

Completion of a new Castle Bridge across Lake Rhodhiss linking Burke and Caldwell counties is still close to four years away.

Although contracts for the building of the new bridge are expected to be let sometime in August, N.C. Department of Transportation Communications Supervisor David Uchiyama said actual construction is not expected to begin until September of 2026.

The current expected completion date of the new bridge is March of 2029, but Uchiyama said that date could change once the contracts are finalized.

The new bridge will be built to the west, or upstream, of the current bridge, and the current bridge will remain in use during construction of the new bridge, Uchiyama said.

“The new construction should have minimal impact on traffic,” he added.

The estimated cost of the project is set at $32 million, which includes removal of the old bridge once the new one is completed. Just over a year ago, the estimated cost of the project stood at $23 million.

In addition to two traffic lanes, plans are for the new bridge to have a 10-foot-wide, multi-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.

This path will provide walkers and bikers with outstanding views of Lake Rhodhiss, as well as of both the Blue Ridge and the Black mountains towering in the distance.

Castle Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in the area. Connelly Springs Road is utilized by many southern Caldwell County residents as the quickest route to Interstate 40, while many central Burke County residents cross the bridge enroute to the Ingles Market in Baton.

At this point, it is unclear when or if the road will be widened and improved on either the Burke or Caldwell County sides.

Widening and improvements on the Burke County side have been discussed but no state funding has been provided.

On the Caldwell County side, funding for widening and pedestrian improvements has been approved, but the start of actual construction is at least six years in the future.