The long-debated Mid-Currituck Bridge project was up for a discussion again Wednesday night at the Currituck Extension Center in the northeastern part of the state.

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management held a hearing on the North Carolina Department of Transportation and N.C. Turnpike Authority’s CAMA Major Permit Application.  

It’s being reviewed by 12 agencies, including local governments (Currituck County and Southern Shores), NCDOT Division of Highways, NCDEQ Division of Air Quality and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Those types of permits are required for projects expected to cover 20 acres or more, according to North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality.

The 7-mile, two-lane bridge was originally estimated to cost $500 million. The N.C. Turnpike Authority estimates the project’s budget has since ballooned to $1 billion.

The sole highway crossing over the Currituck Sound, the Wright Memorial Bridge (U.S. 158), frequently is congested, especially during summer, according to the Turnpike Authority.

They also say hurricane evacuation clearance times far exceed the state-designated standard of 18 hours. 

“The solution to the problem is not to build [a] $1 billion bridge that may go nowhere. Let’s just fix the problem in Southern Shores. Corolla, Carova, etc., is special for a reason. Part of that is it’s difficult to get there,” Tony Cherry, a resident of Corolla, said.  

Aydlett resident Sophie Jordan’s family has owned her sound-front property for 100 years, but she’s fearful a bridge would turn their quiet neighborhood into a noisy tourist route.  

“This is going to be trash and noise and I mean the view is gonna be beautiful no matter what. You know, you can look either way, but I think it’s going to impact the environment a lot here,” Jordan said. 

Walking over her beach access, she says her property has already seen harmful effects of erosion and believes it could get worse.

“I think it would be detrimental. I think it would be very sad if that takes place. There are a lot of things I think they could spend their money on besides a two-lane bridge to Corolla,” she added.  

Despite the concerns from some residents in both Corolla and mainland Currituck County regarding traffic, noise and the environment, the county is fully supportive of the project.

“Currituck County has no objections to the issuance of CAMA permit for the Mid-Currituck Bridge project,” Rebecca Gay, Currituck County’s manager, said.“Currituck County has no objections to the issuance of CAMA permit for the Mid-Currituck Bridge project,” Rebecca Gay, Currituck County’s manager, said. “It’s consistent with the Imagine Currituck Vision 2040 Transportation Policy 1.1, support the mid-county bridge to provide critical traffic, relief, to improve emergency access, and evacuation from the Outer Banks. And to promote economic development and provide better access to public and private services.”   

One of the projects’ biggest supporters is the town leadership in Southern Shores. While they are in Dare County, driving through the town is currently the only way to get to Corolla by car.

“Southern Shores has become a real chokepoint for all that traffic,” Southern Shores Councilwoman Paula Sherlock said.  

During the summer, traffic to the northern beach area is easily congested with high volume and speed limits, alternating from 25 to 45 mph on U.S. 12.  

Sherlock explained they have worked with navigation apps like Waze to deter drivers from using residential roads.  

“We’re talking 30,000 cars going through Southern Shores on a weekend. Ambulances can’t get back there, police can’t get back there. It’s not just an annoyance. It’s a real safety issue,” Sherlock said.

You can find more information about the project’s past and plans by visiting NCDOT’s website.

Public comment has been extended to April 30 and can be sent to DCMcomments@deq.nc.gov with the subject: Mid-Currituck CAMA application.