Crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) began work on Sunday to restore road access to Hatteras Island after repeated storm damage forced the closure of NC 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe. Communications officer Tim Hass said the team is first removing the damaged pavement, rebuilding the dune line, and then grading for future work, though high tide overwash continues to slow progress.
Residents who rely on the emergency ferry between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe expressed relief that any service is available. “Something is better than nothing,” said local Jamie Pauls, who was returning home when the ferry was operating on a 24‑hour schedule.
Current detour and short‑term fixes
Jed Dixon, director of the North Carolina Ferry Division, emphasized that the ferry is now the critical detour for NC 12. NCDOT has a three‑point plan ready: a one‑lane paved detour with flaggers, sandbags to reinforce the dune line, and eventually restoring the two‑lane highway at the same spot.
Long‑term solution under discussion
Hass explained that NCDOT is in preliminary talks with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to move the vulnerable stretch of NC 12 farther west, away from the ocean. The agency needs permits, environmental reviews, and funding before any relocation can proceed. The discussion also includes whether the road should run west of the Pea Island Visitor Center or if the visitor center itself might be relocated.
Local leaders and Dare County residents have long called for a more permanent fix, suggesting elevated roadways or bridges to protect the island’s main thoroughfare from future washouts. “It shouldn’t be happening as often as it’s been happening,” said Pauls, noting that the same 1,200‑foot segment was damaged and rebuilt less than a month ago.
At present, the state of emergency and mandatory visitor evacuation remain in effect for Hatteras Island, meaning tourists are still barred from the island while repairs continue.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
