Rough weather has delayed repairs to storm-damaged N.C. 12, and the state Department of Transportation says the road will not be reopened before Thanksgiving for traffic to Hatteras Island.
“Unfortunately NCDOT crews have been at the mercy of the weather, and we are not where we want to be in terms of reopening N.C. 12,” said Jerry Jennings, who oversees DOT operations in Dare and 13 other northeastern counties. “With recent weather conditions and another forecasted Nor’easter on the way, we will be unable to fully reopen N.C. 12 by Thanksgiving, but are working with the Ferry Division to accommodate the demands of holiday travelers.”
DOT has allowed four-wheel-drive vehicles to travel during daylight hours along the damaged roadway -- through sand, standing water and broken pavement -- on Pea Island and the northern end of Hatteras Island. But storm overwash closed that access several times this week. More stormy weather is in the forecast, and DOT said four-wheel-drive access might be limited to low-tide times.
Emergency ferry service continues between Stumpy Point on the mainland and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, and DOT has expanded the schedule for its regular ferry from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke. New Dare County webcams show how many vehicles are waiting to board the ferries at Stumpy Point and Rodanthe.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter, editor and blogger since 1976, he took over the