MANNS HARBOR, N.C. (WITN) -A 69-year-old bridge on the Outer Banks is soon closing thanks to a preservation project.

The Old Manns Harbor Bridge carries U.S. 64 over the Croatan Sound in Dare County.

The Department of Transportation will spend $33 million to fix epoxies and replace materials that preserve bridges from warm temperatures.

The bridge will close to all traffic on June 3rd and is set to reopen in the late fall or early winter.

The entire bridge project isn’t set to be completed until late 2026.

Drivers who travel between Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island will have to use the Virginia Dare Bridge as an alternate route.

The bridge project will not impact the purple martin nesting season during July and August.