Wednesday, August 19, 2026
By Outer Banks Voice on March 10, 2025
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) Division of Coastal Management (DCM) will hold a public hearing on March 18 from 5-7 p.m. at the Town of Duck’s Town Hall, 1200 Duck Road. The purpose of the hearing is to solicit public comment on North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and North Carolina Turnpike Authority’s (NCTA) Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) application for the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge project.
NCDOT’s CAMA application may be examined at the DCM office at 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City during normal business hours or online.
This is the second public hearing on the long-delayed Mid-Currituck Bridge project in recent days. Late last month, at the Currituck County Cooperative Extension building in Barco, the North Carolina Division of Water Resources held a hearing on the NCDOT and NC Turnpike Authority’s 401 water quality certification application for the project. A number of speakers there took the opportunity to voice opposition to the project.
When: Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 5-7 p.m. (in-person only)
Where: Town of Duck’s Town Hall
1200 Duck Road, Duck, NC
Register: Speaker registration opens at 4 p.m. onsite via sign-in sheet.
The public is invited to submit comments in writing or at the hearing. Speaker time may be limited at the discretion of the hearing officer depending on the number of registered speakers.
Comments may be mailed to Tancred Miller, Director, Division of Coastal Management, 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, NC 28557 or emailed to DCMcomments@deq.nc.gov. Please put “Mid-Currituck CAMA application” in the subject line.
All comments will be considered in making the final permit decision. Notice of the permit decision in this matter will be provided upon written request.
Comments
Ed
Tim B. had it right on the FB page. We’ve built bridges over the sound many times with no issues. Quit whing about this one.
Jason
Don’t build this travesty. It’s not necessary and is a waste of tax money. It only benefits wealthy property owners in the northern beaches. Save the money, and leave earlier to get there on time. Problem solved
Jay
Looking at the map attached to this article it makes sense to build the bridge. As they say “money talks”. Spread the wealth around and walla you got yourself a bridge.
Ya Boi Muskrat
This is something that DOGE would shut down and every maga fan would then agree it’s a bad deal with no cards.
Larry
The ones that want this bridge will be the first to complain once it’s complete. You guys think you are over packed in the summer months now. Just wait until they open this flood gate.
John Brzorad
I think this bridge is a bad idea. Storms are intensifying while sea levels are rising. Many areas along the coast of North and South Carolina are seeing houses taken by the tides. We are putting MORE PEOPLE in harm’s way by building this bridge and promoting the area for additional building. People who complain about climate change are missing the elephant in the room. Since the destruction caused by Hurricane Hugo, we have built in the corridor taken by that hurricane. When these areas flooded again, some pointed their finger at climate change. POOR zoning and additional development IS what put those folks in harm’s way (climate change too, but we can’t control that in the short term). We CAN decide where to build and where not to build. Don’t build this bridge. PUTTING MORE PEOPLE IN THE AREA WILL ALSO REDUCE THE VALUE OF WHY PEOPLE GO THERE; beautiful beaches, marshes and ponies. Let’s not love it to death.
Lee
Spend the 💰 money on the Road 2 lanes all the way down 😄
Jim
In strong support of the bridge. It will greatly reduce traffic. 100% in favor
Mike
Currituck County has allowed dense building from its border with Dare on the OBX to the end of route 12 …and beyond. The density is evident the second you cross the line and are confronted with Pine Islands vast homes. More homes are being built everyday whether there is a bridge to get to them or not – that has been going on for the 25 years that I have lived on the OBX. It’s easy for residents of Currituck to dismiss the impact on Dare County residents who suffer through the hours-long traffic congestion on every turnover day. They don’t have a film of black soot on their decks and furniture and houses, from 1000’s of cars idling for hours waiting to exit the OBX. They can go to the store, get gas, go out to lunch, and live normal lives while the line of traffic clogs every road and subdivision that has a cut through in Duck, Southern Shores, and Kitty Hawk. They don’t see the insane behavior that has people racing through side streets to try to improve their position by 5 cars. They don’t get to look out their windows and witness people relieving themselves on the side of the road. Now they, and their renters do get to drive an extra 40-50 miles, burning fuel and vacation time to drive south then north to close a 2 mile gap. They do have to worry about an evacuation that will be called days in advance in order to allow time for the inevitable traffic nightmare that is worsened by the frantic rush to safety…for hurricanes that frequently miss. They do have to worry about the viability of their properties when people say “never again” to facing the logistical challenges of getting to their rental homes in Currituck. This problem affects both groups of citizens (Dare residents, and Currituck residents) in different ways and has for decades. Do the right thing and support the answer to this decades-long scourge. It isnt all about any one group – it affects us all, and more negatively than a new bridge would. Support the bridge!
JUST SAYING
This bridge will not only benefit the tourist , it will benefit all local residents that work there and the services they provide. It will also provide a much more efficient evacuation route and allow emergency services much quicker access. Also please stop with the sea level is rising and the marshes will be destroyed. Both false and both simply talking points for those who oppose this.
OBX Native
The bridge should be built – safety, convenience and the supporting the overall brand of the Outer Banks Depends on it. BUT… (beach based) citizens have to get involved on a local level to help regulate zoning in Corolla. Currituck County can define their community with a vision for the future congruent with their brand but it’s not going to happen if mainland locals are pulling the strings – Corolla will become Virginia Beach if they are left with all the cards. Development can’t be stopped but it can be positive.
Talking point
IMO folk ought not have “sides” as the actual bridge, cost, management, toll price is not officially documented and recorded.
The “research” data is out of date.
There’s no financial impact study for small business, farm stands, gas stations, eateries that would be bypassed.
No study for economic hit by businesses in Duck and points south because RT 12 issues not addressed.
People once settled in on northern beaches most likely won’t drive south – especially if they don’t see places they’d like to visit, shop, eat.
Folk need to ask questions and require concrete, verifiable answers. Like is this still a public/private partnership and if so who is the private partner?
Craig
Pave paradise and put in a parking lot.
Build it and they will come.
Edna Baden
I do not see the benefit of a bridge from Currituck Mainland to Corolla for multiple reasons:
1. So much of the existing infrastructure in our state is crumbling and in need of repair or replacement. Why build a bridge for tourists to get to their destination faster?
2. Currituck beaches are not the reason for congestion during the summer. Duck and visitors going to the southern beaches cause traffic delays. Viable alternatives to a bridge which include flyovers and traffic circles in the troubled areas are better.
3. Currituck Sound and the SAV that promote healthy fish habitat do not need further disruption.
4. The northern beaches of Corolla are already suffering from a lack of good drinking water due to overdevelopment. A bridge will further promote development on an already seriously compromised environment and aquifer. It will also decrease the amount of land and vegetation needed to sustain the wild horse population, a herd that holds great cultural significance to the area.
5. A bridge will not alleviate congestion, whether during tourist travel months OR hurricane evacuation; it will just relocate where the congestion is.
6. The bridge will will be a terrible financial burden, due to the exorbitant price tag, both to build and to cross.
Mack Pierce
People do not let rich land grabber play you for a sucker. The bridge will be a toll bridge cost last I was told $28.00. and North Currituck Beach population will triple, and These tourist will get one way free toll paid out of their rental money, Now they decide to go out to eat at restaurant’s and shop rainy days, your traffic will double or triple, as they not paying a toll to Currituck where there is nothing for them to do.& add $28.00 toll to any family outing at restaurant. I hear you complain now, careful what you wish for, Open your eyes ,there are money hungry Realtors among you. I have friend has ten acres North of Corolla and want to sell and move. He may see his land prices go up as you may see you land value’s decrease due to traffic jams on a two lane road will need four laned in future. People who I spoken to love Corolla vacation spot because they ride on beach park 300 feet away from next tourist. But it won’t last it will soon look like Viriginia Beach and these families will stay on 95 south get away from crowds.. but then younger kids and crime rate will increase watch Va news Shooting every night. I do not have an answer, I just know in my mind you will kill the goose with the golden egg vacation resort.
kdh backseat reviewer
Traffic cannot be the voice of opposition.
The financial burden is ours but then again what isn’t?
The Outer Banks has seen a dramatic increase in population and density since the three bridges (2 in Manteo) connecting us to the mainland were completed. It is the transportation infrastructure as a whole that is out of date with the expansion of the area.
The two-lane road to Corolla was fine for the 70’s and into the 80’s. That time period is gone, vanished, adios, ain’t never coming back no matter how much people reminisce.
I understand this is a plant your flag moment for those opposed to progress, commerce and tax money for a project that will benefit the state of North Carolina more than it might our beloved stretch of sand and paved roads and 20 room houses and, you get the idea.
WindyBill
Mid Currituck bridge CAMA application
Pay for the bridge from the occupancy taxes from Currituck, Duck and Southern Shores. Provide verified employees in those areas a $1. per trip pass or sticker.
Dano
I moved to Corolla in 2003, everyone said bridge would start being built next year(2004). Those who want the bridge don’t get your hopes up.