The bridge is dedicated to the memory of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the Americas, in 1587.

At a length of 5.2 miles (8.4 km), the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge is the longest in the state.

The existing William B. Umstead Bridge, built in 1955 and having only two lanes, was unable to handle the high volume of traffic during the evacuation.

To help alleviate traffic congestion and provide an additional emergency evacuation route from the Outer Banks, planning for a new bridge began in earnest.

[4] On August 16, 2002, the bridge was dedicated by NCDOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett and was opened that day.