N.C. 12 decision delayed for study of 7-mile bridge

Sam Walker | January 31, 2012

Work to shore up the temporary bridge continues. (NCDOT)

The timetable has been pushed back for a decision on how to address the breaches of N.C. 12 caused by Hurricane Irene, while work to protect the temporary bridge over one of the inlets cut by the storm continues.

NCDOT spokesperson Dara Demi says engineers need more time to examine a suggestion by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to build a 7-mile-long bridge that would stretch from the Ranger Station Inlet, currently spanned by the temporary bridge, to the village of Rodanthe on Hatteras Island.

Prior to public meetings held in December and January on the proposed permanent solutions for the breaches at the Ranger Station and Mirlo Beach, the NCDOT planned to present its recommendations by the end of January to Gov. Beverly Perdue.

“It will require additional time for NCDOT to study this possibility and determine whether it is a viable option,” Demi said in an e-mail.

“At this time, we do not have a specific date set to make recommendations to Gov. Perdue; however, we are moving as efficiently as possible to reach that point,” Demi said. “We should have a better idea (in February) of our timeline moving forward.”

Meanwhile at the Ranger Station Inlet, work continues on shoring up the southern approach of the temporary bridge.

Two weeks ago, the NCDOT began placing rocks and sheet piling along the south shore of the inlet cut by Hurricane Irene to prevent erosion from washing out the temporary bridge.

According to a NCDOT video news release (posted below), 200 truck loads of stone and 100 feet of the metal sheeting will be used on each side of the southern approach to the bridge.

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See what people are saying:

skiffguide says:

That’s a great idea from US Fish and Wildlife- I suppose they will be happy to pay for it out of their own budget, right?

on January 31, 2012 @ 4:54 pm

OBX Resident says:

As a frequent traveller of NC 12, I have a suggestion for the US Fish and Wildlife Department, proactively address the buildings at “Ranger Station” that you own that are crumbling into the sea, littering the beaches and sounds, becoming navigational and environmental hazards, etc. Please practice what you preach and manage the seashore in a responsible manner. If an ignorant visitor to the seashore litters on the beach they may be find, if US Fish and Wildlife allows their buildings to fall into the sea, they sea no evil.

on January 31, 2012 @ 8:11 pm

Kevin Gray Conner says:

More delays and uncertainty! Bureaucrats don’t solve problems, they create them! I’m afraid that in the very near future, Hatteras Island will only be accessible by ferry. Damn it! When are we going to stop these folks from giving us the shaft?

on January 31, 2012 @ 9:19 pm

EsailAwyersgold says:

USFW pay for it? Why do that when the Audubon can work with them to sue the park service and have their fees paid for by the us taxpayers and then the park service could setup a full time position to do EIAs for the next ten years while the cost to build a short bridge tripple. Then charge $100 per car to use the bridge but only if there isn’t a bird in the same state
Any way you look at it we lose and the greenie lawyers get very rich

on January 31, 2012 @ 9:42 pm

ekim says:

Iam thinking a 7 mile bridge keeps our feet boards an lines off of 7mls of our BEACHES! Lets see how long of a delay.

on January 31, 2012 @ 9:56 pm

Richard Marlin says:

Lets see, seven miles of one hundred and seventeen thousand volt cable (times three) on the new bridge would only cost each and every power paying person on Hatteras about $_________ on our electric bill ?
FS&W would then restrict or eliminate access to one of the worlds best surf spots… and oh There would be “zero” environmental impact driving about 5 thousand pilings into the marsh to erect this silly idea. And won’t it be fun for us as you emergency responders to work an accident out on that bridge ? How long do you think a average medium to serious accident will take on a Saturday afternoon to clear ? three maybe four hours ?
Good thinking Oh by all means lets delay some more. After all there are consultants waiting for big checks…..

on February 1, 2012 @ 9:11 am

roanokeislander says:

i agree obx resident! it is criminal how they are just letting all that garbage fall into the water. paint cans , gas cans, all sorts of garbage….. it is not like those rangers actually do anything in the winter. you can report suspected spills and release of hazardous waste to 1-800 424-8802 or http://www.nrc.uscg.mil/index.html . photos are very usefull when reporting. i wonder how much paint and solvents are in the workshop building. shameful.

on February 1, 2012 @ 9:21 am

OBX Resident says:

@Ekim: As a courtesy to visitors to this site please take time to proof your comments for errors and to make sure they make sense. Not a personal attack, just constructive criticism.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak (or type).” ~Epictetus

on February 1, 2012 @ 9:58 am

Thurman Murman says:

“A viable way for people to access jobs and education?” Come on NCDOT, that’s a crock and you know it!

on February 1, 2012 @ 10:04 am

Dazed and Confused says:

I agree NWS should clean up that eye sore they have at the temporary bridge. What are you trying to say ekim? Is there a message there? Use spell check please.

on February 1, 2012 @ 12:59 pm

Sue says:

If you like science-minded literature, get yourself a cup and read about Hatteras inlets. If you are not willing to read it all, at least go to page 6 and look at the map. I found it quite interesting and began to wonder if a 7 mile bridge will really work long term for Hatteras Island.

http://www.ecu.edu/icsp/ICSP/Reports_files/PastPresentAndFutureInletsDec2008.pdf

on February 2, 2012 @ 4:24 pm

Sue says:

Ten miles would be better.

on February 2, 2012 @ 4:35 pm

zach says:

Following up on Sue’s post:

From Island Free Press:

http://islandfreepress.org/NewsandEvents.html

“Come spend a winter evening in discovery and discussion with the authors of a new book on barrier island geology, “The Battle for North Carolina’s Coast.” The book explains why and how barrier islands form and looks at their dynamics over the centuries

The authors are members of the geological sciences department at East Carolina University. Stanley R. Riggs is Distinguished Research Professor and Harriot College Distinguished Professor; Dorothea V. Ames is research instructor; Stephen J. Culver is Harriot College Distinguished Professor and chair, and David J. Mallinson is associate professor.

The discussions are planned for Monday, Feb. 6, from 7 until 9 p.m. at the Fessenden Center in Buxton and Tuesday, Feb 7, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Kill Devil Hills Library. There are no registration fees or reservations necessary.”

on February 2, 2012 @ 7:04 pm

ekim says:

Sorry guys never took typing, Lets try again 7 ml bridge means we won’t be able to FISH 7MLS of beach, SURF 7MLS of beach OR WALK 7MLS of beach, Is this more gooder? Maybe I was to SIMPLE!

on February 3, 2012 @ 12:22 pm

Joshua Harden says:

All that stone means nothing to this little bridge when a hurricane like Irene comes through again.

on February 6, 2012 @ 5:30 pm

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