State transportation officials have implemented emergency and temporary measures to help travelers leave the Outer Banks who have been trapped for days because of damage to N.C. Highway 12 associated with last week’s nor’easter.
In addition to expanding on Tuesday and Wednesday the emergency ferry route’s 24-hour schedule that began running Sunday between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point, a temporary lane of N.C. Highway 12 will open for northbound traffic at 3 p.m. Tuesday between the Marc Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe, a day ahead of schedule, North Carolina Department of Transportation leadership said Tuesday morning.
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The section of N.C. 12 has been closed since early Thursday morning because a 1,000-foot section of pavement near the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center was damaged by repeated ocean overwash during the powerful storm, the state said.
Crews began rebuilding the protective sand dune along N.C. 12 after tidal conditions subsided Sunday, removed the damaged asphalt and grading, and constructed the temporary gravel road. Crews are to continue working to restore the highway to its previous two-lane, paved configuration, but do not have a timeline for when the road will be fully reopened to traffic.
When the state announced the section would open Tuesday instead of the originally scheduled Wednesday afternoon, officials explained that northbound traffic had already begun to line up overnight in anticipation of the road being reopened. “So, when the road reopens at 3 p.m., there will be heavy congestion. Drivers should be patient, pay attention and drive through the area with caution.”
As the northbound traffic congestion begins to subside, southbound and northbound traffic will alternate on the one-way temporary gravel stretch.
The state said late Monday when announcing the extended schedule that the emergency ferry will continue to carry vehicles and walk-on passengers between the two terminals until traffic congestion on Hatteras Island subsides and officials determine the emergency route is no longer required. The one-way trip takes about two hours.
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The expanded schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday is as follows:
- Rodanthe to Stumpy Point: 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11 p.m., 2 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.
- Stumpy Point to Rodanthe: 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m., 12:30 a.m., and 2 a.m.
In addition, ferry service between Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route has resumed on the following schedule:
- Hatteras to Ocracoke: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m., and midnight
- Ocracoke to Hatteras: 4 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.
Those leaving Hatteras via Ocracoke will need to access another ferry from Ocracoke to either Swan Quarter or Cedar Island. Reservations for those ferries are highly recommended and can be obtained online at ncferry.org or by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
Hatteras access remains restricted
Dare County leadership reminded the public Tuesday that the county is still under a state of emergency, meaning that entry to Hatteras Island is restricted to Priority One and Priority Two individuals with proper credentials.
Restrictions will remain in place and apply to all routes, including N.C. 12, the emergency ferry and routes through Ocracoke Island. Entry into the emergency area by residents of Ocracoke Island in Hyde County is authorized.
Visitors and nonresident property owners will not be permitted to enter Hatteras Island at this time.
“Visitors with upcoming reservations on Hatteras Island should not travel toward the island at this time,” and there is no timeline for when visitor access to Hatteras Island will resume, the county said Tuesday. “Those with upcoming reservations on Hatteras Island should contact their accommodations provider directly for information regarding their reservation. Dare County is unable to make changes to lodging reservations or provide information about individual accommodations.”
