A new Outer Banks toll bridge that will connect mainland Currituck to the Currituck beaches is continuing to progress.
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. The bridge will span about five miles and tolls will be estimated to be in the range of $10-$15 for a one way trip. It is projected that the bridge will earn $7 million in revenue the first year. By 2025, traffic counts are expected to average 19,200 daily on summer weekends, with tolls at $12 and annual revenue of $24.9 million. The state budget includes $15 million annually in public money to help finance the project.
The idea of the bridge is to alleviate the traffic congestion entering the Outer Banks. Some predict that this bridge could potentially reduce the trip to Corolla by an hour. Currently, all travelers heading to Corolla have to travel south to Kitty Hawk, and in effect make a u-turn to head north on Rt. 12.
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. For more, click here.
Many locals are fearful of what the bridge will bring with it, but I think one thing is for certain. Once the construction starts, the property values on the Currituck Outer Banks will go through the roof.
The bridge has been a long time coming. I would pay $50.00 each way if it would cut out the almost 2 hours of travel time.
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I wouldn’t presume I know how the locals believe this project will affect things. To be sure, there are those “locals” (at least according to their property address) who will profit. Real nice job awarding the work to two foreign firms.
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