In 1926, Carolina Power & Light began construction of the Tillery Hydroelectric Plant; the dam built in conjunction with the plant would establish a new lake (Lake Tillery), but would also submerge the bridge.

As a result, Carolina Power & Light funded the construction of a new bridge that was overseen by the state.

In what became known as the "Battle of Swift Island Bridge," the US Army made several different attempts to destroy the bridge: first by overloading with weight, second by aerial bombing and third by artillery.

In 2005, the older 1927 bridge was refurbished and was reduced to a single lane for westbound traffic.

[7] As part of the widening of N.C. 24-27, PCL Civil Constructors was awarded a $20.1 million contract in November 2018 to improve the bridges.