Project Overview
N.C. 12 is a key route connecting communities along the Outer Banks barrier islands. These islands are frequently impacted by storms, flooding, erosion, and overwash, which can damage the roadway and disrupt travel.
An 11-mile stretch in Dare County, between the Marc Basnight Bridge and the Rodanthe “Jug Handle” Bridge, has experienced repeated storm damage and periodic closures.
To address these issues, the N. C. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration , in partnership with other federal and local agencies (National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dare County), are developing the Solving Access for N.C. 12 in Dare County (SAND) Plan using federal grant funding. The plan aims to improve reliable access along the corridor.
The team is using the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process to streamline future environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act . Building on previous efforts such as the N.C. 12 Task Force and past National Environmental Policy Act reviews, the SAND Plan will evaluate practical solutions based on environmental and community considerations, cost, and feasibility. The goal is to identify improvements that will reduce travel disruptions and provide both long and short-term transportation solutions.
Project Funding
This project is listed as Project HO-0020 in the
N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $1.865 million through a grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
*Estimated costs subject to change