RODANTHE – The North Carolina Department of Transportation expects to reopen N.C. 12 on Pea Island to free-flowing, two-way traffic by the end of the day Saturday.
Today’s full opening of N.C. 12 comes ahead of NCDOT’s original schedule to fully open the highway next week.
A 1,000-foot section of the highway near the Pea Island Visitor Center, between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, was damaged during the early morning hours of Sept. 24 by a powerful nor’easter. The damage forced the closure of N.C. 12, cutting off road access to Hatteras Island.
After tidal conditions eased Sept. 27, crews began rebuilding the protective sand dune along the highway, removing damaged asphalt and grading a one-lane, onsite detour. The one-lane, gravel detour opened to traffic Sept. 29. Since then, traffic along the Outer Banks highway has moved in one direction at a time, with automated traffic signals put in place to control the alternating flow of traffic.
NCDOT crews have also removed the remaining damaged asphalt and prepared and paved both lanes of the highway for Saturday’s full reopening.
Once N.C. 12 fully reopens, the automated traffic signals will be switched to flashing yellow, with lanes temporarily separated by traffic cones. Motorists should continue to use extreme caution while traveling through the area, as water remains on the roadway and road shoulders will be soft.
Periodic lane closures will be required over the next week as crews continue fortifying the highway’s protective dune and installing permanent lane markings.