Wednesday, October 14, 2026
By Submitted Story on October 3, 2026
October 8 Update: Our crews have rebuilt the protective sand dunes, so the intermittent traffic stops are not necessary. Please drive cautiously & pay attention, as there’s standing water on shoulders & crews are removing traffic control devices.
On the morning of Monday, Oct. 5, NCDOT has posted this update on the continuing work on NC12 after a section was severely damaged during the recent Nor’easter.
We are back at it today, rebuilding the road shoulder on NC12 at the Pea Island Visitor Center. There will be periodic lane closures this week as we do that work, reconstruct the dune line and lay down permanent lane markings. Please continue to drive with caution.
Around 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, NCDOT NC12 posted this update: Here it is! TWO LANES of traffic on NC12 at the Pea Island Visitor Center. Again, continue to drive with caution through the area, as there is still water on the road in places and the road shoulders are soft. Thanks for your patience as we made the switchover this evening.
At about 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, NCDOT released this update about the full opening of NC 12 at Pea Island. Here is the information.
NCDOT expects to reopen N.C. 12 on Pea Island to free-flowing, two-way traffic by the end of the day Saturday. The 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.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
Comments
Bartender
Kudos! on a job well done by NCDOT!
another mom
something needs to be done to protect this before it’s gone again. now, not later.
Charles
I drove through this Sat night. Amazing job getting this open and paved in a week.
That being said as I drove north, the ocean is right there. I am sure they will build that dune up again, but this will happen all over again on the next storm until the permanent road is put in.
If they put in what is now the Ethridge bridge it will work. And get rid of the visitor center.
Concerned in Dare
I see the crosswalk is gone. That’s okay because drivers never paid attention to it anyway.