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  

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

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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!

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New Aerials!

We love it when our photogrammetry guys go flying!

These were taken of the S-curves near Rodanthe (above) and the temporary bridge (below) yesterday, from 3,600 feet above ground.

New Ferry on Board!

Yesterday, we cracked a ceremonial bottle of champagne over the bow of the Sound Class Motor Vessel Swan Quarter, the newest addition to the NC Ferry fleet.

Here are some fun ferry facts about this cruiser:

• It's 220-feet long;

• Carries 50 vehicles and 300 passengers on the Pamlico Sound routes from Swan Quarter and Cedar Island to Ocracoke;

•  Built by Orange Shipbuilding of Orange, Texas;

• Delivered to the shipyard in Manns Harbor in late October 2011;

• The new vessel meets the Americans With Disabilities Act by featuring an ADA-compliant elevator;

• Moves 25 percent faster than existing Sound Class boats; 

• Meets Environmental Protection Agency standards for diesel emissions; 

• Is the first of two sister ships that will join the division’s existing four Sound Class ferries;

• Continues the tradition of ferries being affiliated with state universities by showing the Elon University colors and logo.

During the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island routes carried more than 91,000 vehicles and 217,000 passengers between Ocracoke.

The new vessel will go into service as soon as it receives its Certificate of Inspection from the U. S. Coast Guard.

See more photos.

Thanks, Albemarle RPO!

Our partners at the Albemarle posted this photo of NC 12 today on their Facebook page!

Experts Give Guidance on Permanent Solution for N.C. 12

We're moving forward to develop a permanent solution for the breaches of N.C. 12 on Pea Island and Rodanthe.

Last month, NCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration met in Raleigh with a panel of experts in the fields of coastal science and engineering. They offered insight on three main topics:

• The extent of the damage to N.C. 12 from Hurricane Irene and how it was different than the destruction caused by past storms;


• Options for long-term fixes for the breach sites on Pea Island and Rodanthe, and the extent of the work those possibilities would entail; and


• Points to consider with the coastal monitoring program, which is what NCDOT actively uses to collect data to determine what type of improvements are needed on N.C. 12 from south of the Bonner Bridge to Rodanthe and when that work will occur. It is through this program that NCDOT will decide what additional long-term fixes are needed for N.C. 12 beyond the repairs at the two breaches.

NCDOT will analyze the information discussed by the panel, as well as the input provided by the Interagency Leadership Team and the Merger Team at an Oct. 18 meeting, when developing design options to take to the public in December. The Merger Team will consider comments from citizens when making its final decision on what the permanent solution will be in January 2012.