A wall of sandbags extends along the roadside far into the distance aside N.C. Highway 12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island. This is where washouts and erosion from storm surge repeatedly chew away at the barrier island beach and roadway, part of the normal ocean dynamics that humans often try to control. Photo: Dylan Ray
transportation
Currituck ferry to suspend weekday service for repairs
Currituck-Knotts Island ferry route will temporarily be suspended Monday through Friday and again June 30 to July 2 while the fender systems at both terminals are repaired.
Portion of Belgrade-Swansboro Road to close Monday
The Onslow County road is scheduled to close to traffic next week while crews conduct maintenance.
Highway marker to feature NC’s first farm life school
Craven County Farm Life School in Vanceboro, the first farm life school in the state, is being commemorated with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.
Pamlico Sound ferries now running summer schedule
NCDOT’s Ferry Division has increased trips for the Cedar Island-Ocracoke ferry and the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke ferry.
State to count traffic entering Outer Banks on US 158
“The purpose of these devices is to gather traffic data on the number of vehicles entering the Outer Banks that are currently equipped with toll payment transponders,” officials said.
Army Corps awards contract for Wilmington Harbor dredging
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District has awarded an $18.6 million contract for maintenance dredging in the Wilmington Harbor.
Umstead Bridge to reopen by late Friday, but expect delays
Officials say the 70-year-old William B. Umstead Bridge in Dare County, aka the Old Manns Harbor Bridge, currently undergoing preservation work, will reopen to traffic before the end of the day Friday.
James City to undergo temporary traffic pattern changes
A temporary traffic pattern is going to be put in place over the weekend for a section of U.S. Highway 70 in James City ahead of road work that will close the highway’s median to travelers.
NC 12 to return to lower seasonal speed limits this week
Speed limits will be lowered starting Thursday in parts of Currituck and Dare counties ahead of peak travel season.
Dredging near Ocracoke keeps ferries on spring schedule
The Cedar Island-Ocracoke and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke ferry routes will remain on their spring schedule of six daily departures until channel dredging is complete.
Ocracoke Express passenger ferry to begin season May 13
NCDOT’s Ocracoke Express ferry is scheduled to launch Tuesday its seventh season transporting passengers between Ocracoke and Hatteras.
NC still 5th most-visited state, sets new spending record
Coming in behind California, Florida, Texas and New York in domestic visitation, North Carolina saw its more than 40 million visitors spend more than $36.7 billion on trips to and within the “Tar Heel State” in 2024.
Ferry service to Bear Island resumes next week
After being suspended since April 2024, ferry service from Hammocks Beach State Park to Bear Island resumes May 14.
Stein appoints former Rep. Paul Tine DMV commissioner
Paul Tine, who owns Midgett Insurance Agency in Kitty Hawk and served two terms in the state House, has been named DMV commissioner.
Ocracoke-South Dock terminal proposed study meetings set
The proposed study will look at the feasibility of rehabilitating or relocating the Ocracoke-South Dock terminal, which has been impacted by ocean encroachment and road closures in recent years.
