By: Beachmark
11/6/2012 1:51 PM
I've been trolling the usual sites but can't see any news newer than around last Friday on progress clearing/fixing NC12 below the Bonner Bridge. Anyone have any updates? (I suspect they already have most of the sand cleared away and are working on the road surface repairs and undermined spots.)
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By: Neil S
11/6/2012 3:03 PM
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By: ghostcrab
11/6/2012 5:01 PM
11/06/2012
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded two of three contracts to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy on N.C. 12 in Dare County, and is making progress clearing sand from roads along the Outer Banks.
The impending Nor’easter is not preventing the department from moving forward with awarding contracts to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. NCDOT awarded an $893,297 contract yesterday to RPC Contracting to reconstruct the pavement, repair sandbags and construct a dune in Kitty Hawk, as well as repair the pavement on N.C. 12 approaching the temporary bridge on Pea Island.
The department has also awarded an $186,293 contract to Carolina Bridge Co. to repair the tension cables on the bridge deck of the Bonner Bridge. Work began on Monday, Nov. 5.
Also, NCDOT is working to provide four-wheel drive access from south of the Bonner Bridge to Rodanthe. Once a safe route is in place, crews will open one lane of the Bonner Bridge for four-wheel-drive vehicles only to access Rodanthe and communities to the south via the bridge and NC 12.
At Rodanthe, Barnhill Contracting Co. is mobilizing crews and equipment to begin work as soon as a contract is finalized. Work will include reconstructing the roadway and dunes, and rebuilding the sandbags. It is scheduled to start in the next few days.
Completion of the repair work depends heavily on the effects of the Nor’easter. NCDOT will have a more specific timetable for completion after the storm passes and crews can evaluate any damage.
Additional equipment and personnel are making good progress clearing sand from the roadway. As of this morning, crews have cleared 75 percent of the sand from the roadway. In preparation for reconstructing the dunes, 30 percent of the sand has been moved into place. NCDOT employees have been working extended hours over the past week to do this work.
As crews continue to work, forecasters are predicting a Nor’easter will bring rain, wind and the potential for flooding along the coast Wednesday, which could cause additional damage to the highway. During the Nor’easter, ferry service may also be disrupted due to changing water levels or high winds. NCDOT will provide an update tomorrow afternoon on any impacts from the storm.
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By: Timm_66
11/7/2012 3:02 PM
I am liking this part:
"Also, NCDOT is working to provide four-wheel drive access from south of the Bonner Bridge to Rodanthe. Once a safe route is in place, crews will open one lane of the Bonner Bridge for four-wheel-drive vehicles only to access Rodanthe and communities to the south via the bridge and NC 12."
Might just save me the trip down to Swan Quarter and alot of extra travel time 
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By: Gina 73
11/7/2012 3:38 PM
A four wheel drive option would be awesome and should free up the ferry for those without 4x4.
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By: Piranha
11/7/2012 4:32 PM
12 @ Mirlo Beach is over washed again and taking another beating! Saw a picture of Wave Breaker on Outer beaches and it is out in the ocean again...
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By: oldgarage
11/7/2012 5:01 PM
Low tide at Mirlo
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By: pippy
11/7/2012 5:08 PM
He posted a video of Mirlo from today as well. Just....wow....
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By: exvile
11/7/2012 6:52 PM
I'd be interested to know about what percentage of vehicles taking the ferry are 4x4. Like others here, I'll be coming down on the 17th, but I don't have 4x4. I realize that weekend will probably be quite busy, but I'm interested to know what having 4x4 access would do to ferry wait times. Might see some of you on the Swan Quarter or the Stumpy Point ride!
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By: Salvo Jimmy
11/8/2012 6:08 AM
This NCDOT site has good timely info on NC 12, sometimes with pics. Last release yesterday has pics of Mirlo area from the Nor'Easter.
Don't know why a link does not work with this NCDOT site here as it does on other boards. Here it is for copy/paste
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By: JohnMosesBrowning
11/8/2012 10:02 AM
Twitter is a great resource for keeping up with travel issues on the Outer Banks.
NC 12: @NCDOT_NC12
Ferrys: @NCDOT_Ferry
When I'm traveling that way, I configure my Twitter account to send both of these sources to my phone as text messages to have the most up-to-date info. This helps me make the right decision on the best route to Ocraco*ke in real-time.
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By: Beachmark
11/8/2012 6:06 PM
I'd be interested to know about what percentage of vehicles taking the ferry are 4x4. Like others here, I'll be coming down on the 17th, but I don't have 4x4. I realize that weekend will probably be quite busy, but I'm interested to know what having 4x4 access would do to ferry wait times. Might see some of you on the Swan Quarter or the Stumpy Point ride!
We rode across the Swan Quarter ferry this AM and a bit more than half of the vehicles were 4WD trucks or frame-based SUV's, including ours. (The ferry was about half full.) Not surprised at this, as a lot of beach fishing is going on this time of year. When this 4x4 bypass of the S-curves are was done in 2009, a lot of vehicles used it .
The % may be different for the Rodanthe-Stumpy Point ferries as I expect there are more local drivers there. But there are a lot of 4x4 vehicles used on HI, much more than the usual % you would see in non-agricultrual or non-mountain area.
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By: SeaBeasties
11/8/2012 7:23 PM
Hopefully this will ease the strain on some residents.
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