This Week at NCDOT: Emergency Ferry Routes, Bridge Dedication, Fayetteville Outer Loop

Emergency Ferry Routes 

In the event of a hurricane or unexpected disruption of normal ferry routes, the N.C. Department of Transportation Ferry Division is ready with emergency ferry routes, like the one between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe, which connects Hatteras Island to the mainland. 

This route was created after an incident 35 years ago when a dredge called the Northerly Island struck the Bonner Bridge, dropping a 370-foot section of the bridge into Oregon Inlet, and cutting off the only land connection between Hatteras Island and the mainland. 

While crews repaired the bridge, the Ferry Division quickly reestablished a historic ferry route and ran Hatteras-class ferries like the Chicamacomico daily to carry residents, visitors and vital supplies. 

Thanks to their swift action, a crisis was avoided, and today emergency ferry routes stand ready to ensure North Carolinians can stay connected and keep moving. 

Patrolman Charles E. Galloway Bridge Dedication 

A bridge in Cherokee County now stands as a tribute to Patrolman Charles E. Galloway, who lost his life in the line of duty in an aircraft crash at the Andrews-Murphy Airport in 1948. 

Patrolman Galloway served three years with the N.C. State Highway Patrol and was also a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. 

To honor his service and sacrifice, law enforcement officers, local officials and family members gathered at Beaver Creek Freewill Baptist Church for a ceremony to dedicate the U.S. 19 Business bridge over Junaluska Creek in Andrews as a lasting memorial to Patrolman Galloway. 

Fayetteville Outer Loop 

On Nov. 25, State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson joined state and local officials for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of the final segment of the 39-mile Fayetteville Outer Loop, also known as Interstate 295, which has become vital to the greater Fayetteville area and Fort Bragg. 

Following years of planning, ground was broken in 1999 on the first segment stretching from Ramsey Street to River Road, east of Fayetteville, with a set of new bridges over the Cape Fear River. That section opened in 2003 with fanfare by NCDOT and local officials. 

Over the years, more sections of the outer loop were funded and built, generally westward, or what is now routed as I-295 South. Today, more than 40,000 vehicles a day travel on it. 

Now fully opened, the bookends of the outer loop are I-95’s Exit 58 in Eastover and I-95’s Exit 38 in northern Robeson County. 

This NCDOT project website has more details about the outer loop. 

For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at ​(919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov​.