Project Map
Project Map
Project Fast Facts
- Status: Projects Under Development
- County: Currituck
- Type of Project: New toll bridge
- STIP Number: R-2576
- Completion Date: To Be Determined
Description
The proposed project calls for transportation improvements in the Currituck Sound area with focus on the consideration of a Mid-Currituck Bridge. The proposed action is defined as a 7.0-mile-long two-lane toll bridge across Currituck Sound, with approach roads, in Currituck County.
Latest News and Updates
The Mid-Currituck Bridge Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was approved by the Federal Highway Administration in January. The FEIS and all associated technical reports are available on the project website and at various locations in the project area.
Comments are due by March 12. See FEIS Fact Sheet for more information.
The Mid-Currituck Bridge is a 7-mile-long project between US 158 on the Currituck County mainland and NC 12 on the Outer Banks is expected to reduce travel time and congestion, as well as provide an alternative hurricane evacuation route for the northern Outer Banks. The project is anticipated to be financed through a combination of state appropriation bonds, toll revenue bonds, and possibly private equity.
News Releases
- Currently, no recent news releases.
| Draft Environmental Impact Statement |
Completed |
| Final Environmental Impact Statement |
Completed |
| Record of Decision |
Awaiting FHWA Approval |
| Concession Agreement |
2013 |
| Financial Close |
To Be Determined |
| Begin Construction |
To Be Determined |
| Open to Traffic |
To Be Determined |
| |
Description of Preferred Alternative
The Preferred Alternative is MCB4/C1 with Option A and reducing hurricane evacuation clearance times primarily by reversing the center lane on US 158 north of the bridge. The Preferred Alternative also includes several design refinements to help avoid and minimize impacts, in response to government agency and public input and comments. These refinements include:
- Provision of a median acceleration lane at Waterlily Road. This safety feature would allow left turns to continue to be made at Waterlily Road and US 158. Bulb-outs for u-turning vehicles also would be provided at the re-aligned US 158/Aydlett Road intersection and the US 158/Worth Guard Road intersection to provide greater flexibility for local traffic in turning to and from existing side streets near the US 158/Mid-Currituck Bridge interchange.
- Reducing the amount of four-lane widening along NC 12 from that with MCB4/C1 from approximately 4 miles to approximately 2.1 miles, plus left turn lanes at two additional locations over approximately 0.5 mile. The 2.1 miles of NC 12 widening would be concentrated at three locations: the bridge terminus, the commercial area surrounding Albacore Street, and Currituck Clubhouse Drive.
- Constructing roundabouts on NC 12 instead of signalized intersections at the bridge terminus and Currituck Clubhouse Drive.
- Terminating the bridge in a roundabout at NC 12 also allowed the C1 bridge alignment to be adjusted to remove curves and thereby reduced its length across Currituck Sound by approximately 250 feet (from approximately 24,950 feet [4.7 miles] to 24,700 feet).
- Provision of marked pedestrian crossings along NC 12 where it would be widened. Marked pedestrian crossings would be placed at locations identified by Currituck County plans (Albacore Street, Orion's Way, and Currituck Clubhouse Drive are under consideration for inclusion in the next Currituck County thoroughfare plan), as well as at North Harbor View Drive and the bridge terminus (one across NC 12 and one across the bridge approach road).
Hurricane evacuation clearance time reduction features include:
- On the mainland, reversing the center turn lane on US 158 between the US 158/Mid-Currituck Bridge interchange and NC 168.
- On the Outer Banks, adding approximately 1,600 feet of new third outbound lane to the west of the NC 12/US 158 intersection to provide additional road capacity during a hurricane evacuation. The additional lane would start at the US 158/Cypress Knee Trail/Market Place Shopping Center intersection and end approximately 450 feet west of the Duck Woods Drive intersection, a total distance of approximately 1,600 feet. From this point, the new lane would merge back into the existing US 158 westbound lanes over a distance of approximately 300 feet.
Length
Approximately 7.0 miles.
Estimated Cost
Preliminary cost is estimated at $500 to $595 million. Final costs will be determined during design.
Free Alternate Route
Existing US 158 across the Wright Memorial Bridge, then NC 12.
Project Overview and Purpose
NC 12 and US 158 are becoming increasingly congested and will become even more congested in the future. Increasing congestion is causing travel time between the Currituck County mainland and the Currituck County Outer Banks to increase, especially during the summer.
In addition, as a result of increasing development and congestion in the project area, hurricane evacuation clearance times for residents and visitors who use US 158 and NC 168 as a hurricane evacuation route far exceed the state-designated standard of 18 hours (NC General Statute §136-102.7 “Hurricane Evacuation Standardâ€). Thus, the purposes of the proposed project are:
- Substantially improve traffic flow on NC 12 and US 158;
- Substantially reduce travel time for persons traveling between the Currituck County mainland and the Currituck County Outer Banks; and
- Substantially reduce hurricane clearance time for residents and visitors who use US 158 and NC 168 during a coastal evacuation.
Project Highlights
The proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge is North Carolina's first venture into the world of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for major transportation infrastructure. PPPs are formal collaborations between public agencies and private concessionaires that capture the advantages of private sector participation while maintaining public accountability to develop new infrastructure. These partnerships can be an effective way to deliver much needed infrastructure while minimizing costs and risks to the public.
For funds, bond financing would be used by the PPP. Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) financing (federal government loans) could be used in addition to bonds. This financing would be repaid primarily through toll revenues. Also in 2010, the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $15 million per year through June 2013 and $28 million each year thereafter for repayment of bonds or payment of debt service not covered by toll revenues, which also could contribute to covering any shortfalls that might be associated with toll bridge financing costs.
Final EIS
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Final EIS Technical Reports and Other Supplemental Materials
Preferred Alternative's Preliminary Design Drawings
Public Hearing Maps
Key Maps
US 158 Hurricane Evacuation Third Outbound Emergency Lane Maps
Map Sheets
Mid-Currituck Bridge Maps
NC 12 Corridor Maps
US 158 Corridor Maps
Draft EIS
General Information
Open House and Public Hearing Materials
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Draft EIS Technical Reports and Other Supplemental Materials
Public Hearing Maps
To view maps, go to the Final EIS section on this page.
Project Library
Documents/Maps
News Releases
Presentations
Public Involvement
PPP Procurement
The proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge in Currituck County is North Carolina's first venture into the world of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for major transportation infrastructure. The NCTA has chosen to utilize the procurement method known as a “Predevelopment Agreement†(PDA) for this project. With a PDA the NCTA will procure a development partner consisting of investors, designers, and construction contractors early in the project delivery process. At the completion of NEPA NCTA will negotiate with the chosen partner for the design, construction, financing, operations, and maintenance of the project.
Archives
Documents
Contact Information
Project Hotline: (800) 961-5465
Email: midcurrituck@ncdot.gov
- Address: 1578 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-1578
Resources for Local Property Owners
In many cases, it is inevitable that a certain amount of private property must be acquired. The displacement of homes and businesses is minimized to the extent practicable. The following brochures will answer questions about this process.