Mid-Currituck Bridge
Mid-Currituck Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Major junctions | |
| West end |  US 158 in Aydlett |
| East end |  NC 12 near Corolla |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Counties | Currituck |
| Highway system | |
The Mid-Currituck Bridge is a proposed 7 miles (11 km) two-lane toll bridge that will span across the Currituck Sound, connecting US 158 and NC 12. Its purpose is to alleviate summer traffic congestion and to improve both emergency response and evacuation time. Estimated at a cost of $410 million, construction was scheduled to start in 2019 and be completed in four years time. However the N.C. Governor announced on November 19, 2015... that construction would be moved up 2 years... Now slated to begin in 2017.
History
Plans for a bridge that connected Currituck County's mainland and outer banks has been on the drawing board since the 1970s. However, because of the high cost of project, it remained unfunded for decades. In 2008, the bridge was picked up by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority as a possible new toll route and work began on the environmental impact for the area.[1][2]
On January 19, 2012, The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was released by the N.C. Turnpike Authority. It recommended the preferred alternative for the project, which involves construction of the bridge, as well as limited improvements to existing NC 12 and US 158, estimated to cost around $660 million. With final approval expected in the spring, construction would begin in late 2012, opening to traffic in 2017.[3]
The project would include:
- A straight two-lane bridge connecting the mainland with a northern landing on the Outer Banks;
- Toll plaza and interchange with US 158, with two-lane bridge over Maple Swamp;
- Reversing the center turn lane on US 158;
- Roundabout installed on NC 12, at the bridge landing and Currituck Clubhouse Drive; and
- Widen NC 12 to four-lane in certain areas, with left turn lanes at intersections that remain two-lane.[4]
In June, 2012, NCDOT recommended not to fund the project through 2013, anticipating possible lawsuits. As a result, the North Carolina General Assembly provided no funds, delaying the project.[5] In December, 2014, NCDOT included the bridge in its final draft in the 10-year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). With an estimated cost of $410 million, with the state contributing $173 million, it will pay-off the remainder by toll revenue. Construction for the bridge was programmed to begin in 2019 and be completed in four years.[6][2]
Project planning and implementation of the Mid-Currituck Bridge was placed on hold in 2013 while NCDOT reviewed state, regional and local transportation improvement funding priorities using the Strategic Mobility Formula.
The project has since been approved for inclusion in the 2016-2025 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and now, work toward a Record of Decision (ROD) is underway. An amendment to the STIP calls for NCDOT to start the dedication of state transportation funding in fiscal year 2017 (which starts July 2016) that will be used for bridge construction.[7]
References
- ^ "NCDOT: Mid-Currituck Bridge". Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ a b Walker, Sam (December 4, 2014). "New road plan breathes life into Mid-Currituck Bridge project". The Outer Bank Voice. Nags Head, NC. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ "Turnpike Authority Publishes Final Environmental Impact Statements for Mid-Currituck Bridge" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Transportation. January 19, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "Mid-Currituck Bridge Project" (PDF). Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ Robertson, Gary (July 16, 2012). "Pending North Carolina toll projects hit a roadblock". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
- ^ "NCDOT Releases Draft State Transportation Improvement Program" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Transportation. December 4, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ NCDOT."Mid-Currituck Bridge: Project Overview and Purpose", NCDOT, Retrieved 13 May 2016.