DARE Co., N.C. - The N.C. Department of Transportation will reopen two sections of N.C. 12 on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands at 12 p.m., Thursday.
On Wednesday evening officials said they hoped to reopen NC-12 today, the ocean had other plans.
The sections, from the Marc Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe on Hatteras and from the National Park Service Pony Pens to the Ferry Terminal on Ocracoke, were closed Sunday night due to ocean overwash caused by a combination of seasonal high tides, strong northeast winds, and long form ocean waves from Hurricane Teddy.
N.C. 12 motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution on both Hatteras and Ocracoke, as sand and salt water remain on the road in several locations.
NCDOT crews say they will also be on the highway to continue clearing the road and shoring up dune lines. Lane closures may be in effect in some sections.
Ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke will resume Thursday with departures from Hatteras at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., and departures from Ocracoke at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
It's official... we will be opening both sections of NC12 (Rodanthe & Ocracoke) at NOON! Keep in mind there will still be standing water and sand in several locations... so please drive with EXTREME CAUTION and slow down! pic.twitter.com/byTtJxYe9w
— NCDOT NC12 (@NCDOT_NC12) September 24, 2020
