Saturday, September 5, 2026
By Submitted Story on July 14, 2026
Southern Shores officials are asking residents to oppose a potential NCDOT project at the intersection of NC 12 and US 158 in Kitty Hawk that proposes converting the existing at-grade intersection into an interchange to improve safety and mobility.
From July 1–31, the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is accepting public input as part of the process to identify projects for potential inclusion in the 2028–2037 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), the state’s next 10-year transportation plan.
A message from Southern Shores Mayor Elizabeth Morey released on July 14 noted that although “the project is not within Southern Shores, any major changes at this intersection would have a direct impact on our community, including traffic patterns, safety, and the overall character of our area.”
In response to a Voice inquiry, Kitty Hawk Town Manager Melody Clopton said that the Town has not taken a position on the NCDOT project at this point.
NCDOT has developed two conceptual design options for this location, with one calling for the construction of two bridges or overpasses and another converting the existing intersection into an interchange.
Morey stated that she and Town Council Member Paula Sherlock believe “neither option will solve the traffic congestion challenges facing our region and that these large-scale structures could create additional impacts for Southern Shores. We are also concerned that the proposed designs would significantly change the visual character and coastal setting of our community.”
Their message encourages residents to review the project on the NCDOT P8 Prioritization Map and to select “Not a Priority.” According to the tally, as of July 14, a solid majority of 63% of the respondents identified the project as not a priority with 37% of them identifying it as a priority.
After the comment period closes, local planning organizations and NCDOT divisions will evaluate projects and assign local input points, which can significantly influence project rankings and future funding opportunities. Final project scores will be compiled, and a draft 2028–2037 STIP is expected to be released in late winter or early spring 2027.
NCDOT is holding an open house meeting on future transportation projects on July 14 in Edenton.
View the two conceptual design options in detail:
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Comments
Ed
The only issue that intersection currently has is Currituck County is determined to stuff 50 pounds of “tourist” in a 5 pound sack every chance it gets. Build the bridge and eliminate dozens of future headaches like this.
Duck
What is this nonsense how does the DOT not know the problem is the crosswalks in duck. How can they not know this? Does anyone disagree at all?
Greg
Please build the Mid Currituck Bridge. That bridge should have been built 30 years ago. Currituck County has allowed Corolla to be built out with no decent access. Occupancy in Corrolla continues to increase by way of remodeling and existing house replacement by a larger house.
Ann Sjoerdsma
No one seems to have talked with the NCDOT to find out why this project has been proposed. Where did the idea originate? In the first design, flyovers would be used to allow NC 12 traffic to go under US 158 traffic. According to Town Councilwoman Sherlock, who spoke at the Southern Shores Town Council meeting on July 7, the construction of this design would cost $36 million. The second design proposes a “reconfiguration” of the intersection. Good luck with figuring out either of these design drawings. I can’t imagine anyone wants a “mixing bowl”-type interchange at this intersection. I recall talk about 10 or so years ago about a flyover to alleviate congestion at the 12-158 intersection, but it was such an outrageous idea that it soon died out. Vote “no,” folks. NCDOT has to do better than this.
Jay
Isn’t it weird how the build the “bridge no matter what people” are totally opposed to any other changes that might help the traffic flow in the summer. I am gonna have to laugh and say I told yall so when they finally get that bridge built and it has almost no negligible effect on the traffic in Southern shores and duck. Lord knows I don’t know everything but I do wish my really bad case of common sense was contagious.
Bob
Appreciate the article!
Don’t appreciate whoever drew these plans up. It’s just a bunch of scribble.
Doesn’t an interchange call for elevated sections that cross over other traffic? I don’t see that in either of these plans.
WBN
Why don’t they first try synchronizing the traffic lights in that area to allow even flowing traffic?
I have sat in traffic many times waiting for the light to turn green only to sit there after it turned because there was no where to go due to traffic waiting for the light ahead to turn green. The left turn to Southern Shores gets blocked by cars determined to get thru the light. Police stationed there seem to be there only for accident control. Say no to the NCDOT proposals.
Robert Hawk
Neither of these proposed changes will do anything to address the root of the problem. The one with the elevated flyover will give some folks a nicer view while they sit in traffic waiting for the cars to get through Duck. This whole thing happens about 20 days a year where traffic is backed up with beachgoers going north. The solution for those 20 days a year is to how to get traffic through the bottleneck in Duck. The bridge to Corolla would do a lot to help that. But the cost is outrageous. But any money spent on either of these two projects as proposed is really a waste of that money. I don’t have a solution, but the solution is not at that intersection and the solution is not in Southern Shores. The challenge presented is that a lot of folks want to get to Currituck County and the beaches up that way on Saturday and Sunday morning. Some things that could help a lot is staggered check-ins, fewer crosswalks in Duck or some way to get around Duck. It sure seems like the big bridges like the north bridge proposed are just too expensive. Maybe the end result is that we have a traffic back up about 20 days a year.
Bob
Okay, so after other comments, I believe the first plan is proposing all the straight lines on 158 in both directions be elevated.
The gray box sections would be elevated.
It would be nice if the designers would include that in the legend.
And yes, they definitely need to move forward with the mid-currituck bridge.
Jim
As someone who drives to Corolla everyday, Duck is the problem. On Saturday and Sunday, allowing the side streets of Southern Shores to become impassable just compounds it. If the traffic was forced to stay on the highway and not have to stop every five seconds for someone to cross the street in Duck there would be no traffic problem.
Kit Hawk
Promised for years but never delivered! Build the damn Currituck bridge!
Bud
Be better off just removing all subdivisions built in the last two decades, from Pine Island to Carova line, solve allllllllll those problems while increasing quality of life for everyone..
WindyBill
Southern Shores objects. What a surprise. The maps are hard to read.
M
Duck is the problem, use the bridge money to fix that. If the bridge is ever built, the Northern Beaches will blow up! Is that what everyone wants?? It is already overcrowded and the 4×4 area is being ruined by all of the traffic on the beach and building. Owners are upset, because rentals are down from Covid highs, what do they think will happen when thousands of new houses are built?? Southern Shores Government wants the bridge, do they really think that will improve traffic with more people coming down to Southern end to shop, site see, eat, etc.; just look at what happens on rainy days! I don’t think tourist are going to drive back over the bridge and down 168 to get back on the beach!
Dadene
Duck is the problem – vehicles are having to stop every few feet to allow pedestrians to cross. Put 3 or 4 synchronized stop lights in Duck with pedestrian crossing only when traffic is stopped for the red light.
Kittyhawker
Yeah why aren’t we building elevated walkovers for duck?!!?
Tomahawk
Build the bridge with signs say Corolla and Duck. Keep them all up north.