Bridge operator Charles Crawford has worked at the Wrightsville Beach bridge for 12 years.

He’s responsible for opening the bridge for boat traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway, keeping an eye on potential traffic hazards and making sure people are out of harm’s way during the bridge operations.
 
“Working and communicating with the boat captains is fun and at times challenging,” Crawford said.
 
“Working over the waterway is like being outside all the time yet protected from the climate because of being inside,” he added. “The sunsets and sunrises are awesome, and watching the moon reflecting on the waterway cannot be described.”