The Cape Hatteras National Seashore Bodie Island Lighthouse, located south of Nags Head just off of N.C. Hwy. 12, is undergoing a massive restoration project this summer. Although the site is a busy and active construction area, the Bodie Island complex remains open to the visiting public. The park visitor center and Eastern National bookstore are open and offer a variety of interpretive programs from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week, to the visiting public.
Like a giant Tinkertoy construction set on the horizon, the lighthouse looms in the southwest as you travel south along N.C. Hwy. 12 toward Oregon Inlet. The tower and lantern room are encircled by an extensive 2,000-piece scaffolding system and a protective "shroud" made of nylon-reinforced, weatherproof fabric. Park visitors and engineering enthusiasts can marvel, from a distance, at the complexity of the renovation project and take a short walk on the adjacent boardwalk to view the lighthouse tower or watch the variety of feeding birdlife in the pond.
Work accomplished to date includes:
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Sand blasting of exterior metals is approximately 40% complete.
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Stripping and priming of interior metals is approximately 80% complete.
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Paint removal on the interior masonry is 85% complete.
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Priming of metals on four levels of stairways is 70% complete.
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Metal sample patterns have been approved.
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Negative air machine and vacuum system with compressor are in place.
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A security fence installed around the construction site is 100% complete.
Work to be accomplished next week:
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Masonry samples and submittals will be completed.
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Stripping of the interior masonry of the tower continues.
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Stripping and then priming of the interior metals will be complete.
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Additional safety equipment and safety station are located on-site.
The project is managed by the National Park Service in conjunction with restoration contractors, United Builders Group, LLC from New Bern, N.C., the prime contractor, Progressive Contracting Company, Inc. from Edenton, N.C., and the metal restoration work will be handled by Enberg Mold and Tool from Jacksonville, Fla.
For more information on this project, contact the Public Affairs Office at 252-473-2111 ext. 148.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
