Buxton

We understand that ocean overwash along N.C. 12 in the Outer Banks often makes it difficult for residents, visitors and businesses to get where they need to go efficiently. The state of emergency declared by Gov. McCrory helps us move forward with a short-term solution to protect this critical coastal highway at its most vulnerable location – the S-Curves.

Overwash at the S-Curves in March 2013

Currently, when overwash occurs at the S-Curves, it often forces N.C. 12 to close, making it challenging for people to get to jobs, education or medical appointments. A series of storms, including hurricanes Irene and Sandy, severely eroded the beach just north of Rodanthe.  Without the beach to act as a buffer, the strong surf threatens to undermine the structure and safety of the road.

That is why we have acquired $20.8 million in Hurricane Sandy emergency repair funds from the Federal Highway Administration to rebuild the beach at the S-Curves. Nourishment will provide much-needed protection to N.C. 12 until we can put a long-term solution in place in the coming years.

Although Buxton also experiences overwash, it was not included in the emergency declaration for several reasons. When overwash occurs, it washes water and sand onto N.C. 12, but it does not currently threaten the road’s integrity. Following recent storms, our crews have cleared the overwash off the road quickly without requiring repairs. In addition, N.C. 12 at Buxton does not qualify for federal emergency repair funds, and is not a candidate for state transportation funding for repair and protection at this time.

We have identified the section of N.C. 12 in Buxton as a “hot spot” that may see increased erosion in the future. We are studying this location to determine feasible long-term options for maintaining transportation along N.C. 12 if future conditions threaten the long-term viability of the existing roadway.

We Have a Date!

Calm weather conditions have prevailed in Dare County and our crews have made significant repairs to N.C. 12 and we are now able to move to the next step - a   temporary solution to reconnect all traffic on Hatteras Island to points north of Mirlo Beach. This will be a multi-step process that will include installing sandbags, reconstructing dunes, and rebuilding the road near Rodanthe where Hurricane Sandy and a pair of Nor’easters damaged the highway.

What's Happening Now
Crews are currently placing 15-foot-long sandbags along a 0.4-mile section of N.C. 12 at the S-Curves just north of Rodanthe on Pea Island. In all, 1,800 new sandbags will go in to create a protective barrier between the ocean and the road. Once the sandbags are in place, we'll rebuild the dunes on top of the sandbags.

At the same time, broken pavement will be hauled off from this section of N.C. 12. After sandbags are installed at the most heavily damaged parts of the highway, crews will begin rebuilding the road where it was located before the series of storms hit. And as you know, all work is heavily dependent on the weather and tidal conditions.

Weather permitting, we hope to open the newly paved lanes of N.C. 12 to all traffic on or by Dec. 25. Until then, four-wheel drive vehicles must continue to pass through checkpoints at the temporary bridge on Pea Island and Mirlo Beach to travel between Hatteras Island and the mainland.

Motorists are reminded that any private vehicle larger than a one-ton truck cannot use the route in order to protect access and allow traffic to flow more efficiently. In addition, private trucks with trailers are not permitted. Two-wheel drive vehicles are not allowed on the route under any circumstance.
More information on N.C. 12 recovery efforts is available on our N.C. 12 Recovery webpage and N.C. 12 Facebook page. For the latest details on the emergency ferry route, as well as schedules for our regular ferry routes, call 1-800-BY-FERRY and press 1, or visit the NCDOT Ferry page.

Updates: Temporary Bridge, Rodanthe and The Emergency Ferry

What's Happened? What's Next?

Paving 
As you may know, paving at the temporary bridge was completed yesterday.  Replacement of guardrail is the only remaining work there and that should begin today or tomorrow.  A temporary signal with a one lane traffic pattern will be in place at the temporary bridge until the guardrail is completed.

Paving of the repaired spans on Bonner Bridge were completed on Monday.
 
In an effort to reduce the length of the closed areas that have to be managed, Dare County is moving the checkpoints south of the temporary bridge.  

All other work with the exception of guardrail at the temporary bridge is complete.

S-Curves
At Rodanthe, sandbag installation continues along the east side of NC 12.  The contractor is working from south to north.  Additionally, removal of damaged pavement is set to begin on Monday. 

Monday Ferry Schedule Note
  
On Monday, Dec. 3, the 10 p.m. emergency ferry departure from Stumpy point to Rodanthe will be delayed so that a davit cable for the lifeboat on the Motor Vessel Hatteras can be replaced.  More details.

UPDATE: 4WD Access Opened Ahead of Schedule!

Our crew completed the maintenance work on the four-wheel drive access detour two hours ahead of schedule and it is now open to traffic!

Big, big kudos to the folks out there who worked hard to shore  up the access detour!

NOTE: The weight restrictions on the 4WD access that were initiated Tuesday ARE still in place.

Workshops Slated to Discuss Design Options

Mark Dec.5 and Dec. 6 down on your calendars.  We're holding two workshops expressly to discuss the options for permanently fixing the breaches on N.C. 12 on Pea Island and Rodanthe caused by Hurricane Irene.

We need your feedback on the ideas and we'll use it to figure out the best long-term solution for each breach.

Here are the specifics on the meetings:

• Monday, Dec. 5, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
  Dare County Administration Building
  954 Marshall C. Collins Dr.
  Manteo  

View Larger Map

• Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
  Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center
  23186 Myrna Peters Rd. Rodanthe

View Larger Map

Drop in any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.. NCDOT representatives will be there to explain the design options and answer any questions. Share your ideas, thoughts and suggestions with us!

Read more..

More Milestones!

Over the weekend, crews checked off several key components of the temporary bridge installation over the breach on Pea Island, as you can see from the graphs at right.

There's still a considerable amount to go, however.  On the bridge, crews still need to install the bearing supports, lower and anchor the bridge in place, and install deck panels.

As we have been saying, completion of the bridge does not mean N.C. 12 can be reopened.  Paving must be completed around the bridge and the work on the portions of the highway near Rodanthe also must be finished. When that's completed, then N.C. 12 can be opened to traffic.  Unfortunately, the work that must be done now would be the most effected by bad weather of everything we've done so far.  So that's why we just can't name a specific date as to when the highway will be reopened.  Katia, and a Nor'easter have brought a significant amount of rain to the site, and extra crews were called in to keep things on track. Best we can say at this point is still early-mid October.

Folks have been asking us about Oct. 6 - that refers to Dare County's re-entry plan for Waves, Rodanthe and Salvo - NOT the reopening of N.C.12.  Here's the county's release on re-entry to those areas of Hatteras Island.

N.C. 12 Update 9/20/2011

At the Rodanthe breach area, crews continued hauling sand for dune construction and installed sand bags along the S-curves. As of yesterday, approximately 2,700 truckloads of sand has been hauled and placed for the repairs at Rodanthe.

At the temporary bridge location on Pea Island, crews placed concrete at bent 4 for footings. At bent 3, the template was set for driving piles. Bents are substructures supporting each end of the bridge span.

Approximately 71 feet of the bridge has been assembled. Crews began launching the assembled pieces of the bridge using a 90,000 pound excavator backhoe. In order to do this, the backhoe pushes the assembled pieces across temporary rollers. Yesterday, crews were able to launch the bridge close to 70 feet towards the south end of the breach.

N.C. 12 RECOVERY PROJECT UPDATE FOR SEPT. 19 - Nor'easters are no fun

Nor’easter causes work stoppages; Launch area coming together

At the Rodanthe breach area, the weather caused problems for crews attempting to place sand bags due to rough ocean waves and high seas throughout the weekend. Sand hauling had to be suspended due to limited places to stockpile the sand until the weather subsided.

Over the weekend, at the temporary bridge location on Pea Island, crews began and completed assembly of the launch nose of the temporary bridge. This area will be used to assemble pieces of the bridge and then push it across the breach. At bent 3 and 4, which are substructures supporting each end of the bridge span, footings were framed and cross beam supports were put into place for pile driving. On Saturday afternoon, work was suspended due to high winds and rain. The wind ranged from 30 to 40 miles per hour and was too dangerous to use the cranes to pour concrete or pick up pilings. Crews returned to work Sunday and were able to begin assembly of trusses and floor beams. In addition, the launch rollers were placed on the temporary supports of the launch pad.

Still looking for an early October reopening, depending on how the weather does between now and then.

N.C. 12 RECOVERY PROJECT UPDATE FOR SEPT. 16

At the Rodanthe breach area, crews continue to stockpile sand for dune reconstruction and fill sandbags. A total of 2,250 dump truck loads of sand have been hauled in so far to fill the areas of roadway that were damaged.

At the temporary bridge location on Pea Island, crews continued to drive piles at the north. Crews also continued to preassemble and sort temporary bridge components. The framework was put into place for the footings at the locations where the pilings were driven Wednesday. Crews moved equipment and materials, including three loads of sheet piles, from the north end of the breach to the south end to begin pile driving. If the weather permits, crews will begin installing temporary supports tonight.

NCDOT estimates that the roadway could be fully reopened sometime in early October depending on weather conditions between now and then.

N.C. 12 RECOVERY PROJECT UPDATE FOR SEPT. 15

While N.C. 12 south of Nags Head remains closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Irene last month, NCDOT continues to make progress fixing the breaches and areas of over wash in order to improve and reopen the highway.

At the Rodanthe breach area, crews continue to stockpile sand for dune reconstruction and fill sandbags.

At the temporary bridge location on Pea Island, crews continued to drive piles at the north end. Crews also continued to preassemble and sort temporary bridge components. Yesterday afternoon, crews were able to move 4 loads of piles to the south end of the breach.

NCDOT estimates that the roadway could be fully reopened sometime in early October depending on weather conditions between now and then.

News for Dare County Visitors: Re-Entry Announced by Dare Officials

Dare County posted this yesterday evening:

Bulletin Number: 35


Date/Time: 9/12/2011 5:50:50 PM

Visitor Re-Entry for Portions of Hatteras Island Begins Thursday - See Important Details Below

VISITOR RE-ENTRY FOR AVON, BUXTON, FRISCO AND HATTERAS VILLAGE BEGINS ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 AT 7:00am VIA FERRY SERVICE FROM SWAN QUARTER OR CEDAR ISLAND ---

Visitor Re-entry for Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village begins on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00 a.m. via ferry service from Swan Quarter or Cedar Island. Visitors traveling to these Villages will only be allowed to enter the island by ferry service originating in Swan Quarter or Cedar Island through Ocracoke to the ferry docks at Hatteras Village. Visitors will not be permitted on the emergency ferry route from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe.

The ferry route from Swan Quarter or Cedar Island requires a reservation and there is a fee for a portion of the trip. To make a mandatory reservation, call 1-800-293-3779 (press 2) or online at www.ncferry.org Visitors are encouraged to make ferry reservations as soon as possible for both their departure trip AND return trip.

EMERGENCY FERRY SERVICE FROM STUMPY POINT TO RODANTHE

The emergency ferry, from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe, will continue to operate for critical personnel, insurance adjusters, vendors carrying essential commodities, residents, and non-resident property owners ONLY. Due to the heavy traffic demand this places on the Stumpy Point to Rodanthe ferries, visitors will not able to be accommodated on the emergency ferry route at this time.

Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., the Ferry Division will give boarding priority on the emergency ferries to vehicles carrying essential commodities. Commercial vehicles are urged to use the overnight ferry trips in order to avoid congestion.

UPDATED INFORMATION FOR RODANTHE, WAVES, SALVO VISITORS

Visitors with upcoming travel plans for the villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo are advised that visitor re-entry will not begin until a future date, sometime after Thursday, September 29.

Visitors with travel plans to Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo over the next couple of weeks should seek accommodations elsewhere in Dare County, north of Oregon Inlet. If you need help finding lodging, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at 1-877-629-4386 or visit www.outerbanks.

IMPORTANT RECOVERY INFORMATION – Online 24 hours per day at www.darenc.com

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