MANTEO -- The Bonner Bridge is open again. Governor Pat McCrory and state Transportation Secretary Tony Tata reopened the bridge at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon.

The bridge has been closed since December 3rd because sand had been washing away from the bridge's support system. An emergency ferry route had been set up that was a 17-mile trip that takes more than two hours. Officials also said that route will continue through Monday morning.

The Bonner Bridge is the only highway linking Hatteras Island of the Outer Banks to mainland North Carolina. Earlier this month a contractor was brought in to place sand bags and interlocking jacks to help support the bridge.