Bodie Island Lighthouse rejuvenation underway

BODIE ISLAND

Encased top to bottom in scaffolding, with more of it inside, the Bodie Island Lighthouse is being readied for much-anticipated restoration work.

Workers, who arrived in December, have removed pieces of corroded iron from the balcony and lantern room of the 156-foot tower, and platforms are set up under every window in preparation for their repair or replacement.

Guy wires, attached to 10,000-pound concrete blocks, secure the brick beacon as work is being done.

Soon, sand blasting the rust-pitted metal decking and railings will begin at the top, which no longer holds the original first- order Fresnel lens.

The 1871 lens is being restored and will be reinstalled when the lighthouse work is done.

"We just finished the shroud for the paint removal," Jeff Ashton, project superintendent with Edenton-based Progressive Contracting Co. said during a tour of the site on Thursday, as he glanced up at the white covering the top quarter of the black-and-white beacon.

The exterior cover, he said, will prevent blasted paint and metal dust from going into the air.

Additional protective coverings are in place inside the 1872 lighthouse, also.

Damaged metal pieces have been sent to a foundry to be recast with a mix of the original cast iron, zinc and steel, said Johnny Moore, quality control manager with New Bern contractor United Builders Group.

Originally planned to start in 2005 at a cost of about $1.7 million, the restoration had been continually stalled because of budget shortfalls.

Now, estimated at $3 million, provided in the National Park Service Outer Banks Group budget, the project will include repair and replacement of damaged parts of the spiral staircase, repainting the interior and replacement of electrical equipment.

Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com