N.C. nears deal for toll bridge to northern OBX

COROLLA, N.C. — State officials and environmentalists are nearing a deal to build a 5-mile bridge to link the northern Outer Banks with the mainland.

The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported Monday that the $650 million toll bridge would stretch over the Currituck Sound to Corolla, known for its lighthouse and wild horses. Projected tolls on the Mid-Currituck Bridge would be $10 to $15 for a one-way trip. The bridge is expected to generate $7 million in its first year.

The bridge would be aimed at relieving logjams for summer tourists on U.S. Highway 158 and N.C. Highway 12. For those traveling from the north, getting to Corolla requires going south almost to Kitty Hawk, a U-turn that can add up to an hour to the trip.

An environmental impact statement on the bridge is expected by the end of the year. Construction is scheduled to begin in February and be finished in 2013.

In April, the state Turnpike Authority entered an agreement with Spanish firms ACS Infrastructure Development and Dragados USA to determine if the project is financially feasible and possibly become investors for it.

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Latest Comments

Rangerchief, You are to tell me that a $10-15 toll, at about 3 to 4 miles long makes more sense at way more than $4-5 per mile to go from the northern OBX to NC 136 where it connects US 158? Tolls in NYC are

pinckney02
October 22, 2009 1:41 p.m.

upinouterspace: Are you even familiar with the location this bridge would be in? Extending 12 all the way to the line and then into Sandbridge would be near impossible and definetly not cost-effective.

Look at a map and rethink your comment. I don't agree with the bridge mainly because it will destroy corolla and duck (even more)

rangerchef
October 20, 2009 4:30 p.m.

upinouterspace:

The politicians an the ncdot in this state have never been know for doinjg what is right only what is right for them as politician an for what ever the state contracting industry wants this way the politicians get to give away state taxpayers finding to particular road building contractors an in returen the pols get campaine contribuations from the contracting industry. Just another case of one hand washing the other as usual in north carolina thank you

pbjbeach
October 20, 2009 12:38 p.m.

I don't understand why they have to build a bridge anyway? Why can't they just extend Highway 12 all the way up to the Virginia State Line, and then continue it until it hits Sandpiper Road in southern Virginia Beach. This is more economical and makes more SENSE.

upinouterspace
October 19, 2009 1:10 p.m.

I personaly do not plan to spend the seven to ten dollars to ride this propose new bridge to corrola, i will say this much though i surely hope that this one will ride better for the taxpayers of the state than the last bridge that was built crossing the Roanoke Sound For the last one built rides like SH--. This was just another prime example of basnight pushing the contractor to hurry up an complete it for the up comming summer tourist traffic expect on the beach area WHEN CROSSING IT. IT WILL NEARLY THROUGH YOU OUT OF YOUR VEHICALS BOUNCING SO BADLEY

pbjbeach
October 19, 2009 12:57 p.m.