Dare County Transportation Survey

The Transportation Planning Branch of the NC Dept. of Transportation, in cooperation with Dare County and all its municipalities as well as Albemarle Rural Planning Organization, is developing a transportation plan for the county.  The transportation plan is a long-range plan that identifies major transportation improvements that will be needed over the next 25 to 30 years. 

This survey is a means of identifying transportation issues that are important to the citizens, officials, and businesses of Dare County. It is available in both English and Spanish. The survey can be taken online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/darecountysurvey, or picked up at one of these locations throughout the county: In Duck- Town Hall, Ducks Cottage, Duck Post Office, Duck United Methodist; In Southern Shores– Town Hall, All Saints Episcopal; In Kitty Hawk– Town Hall, Aycock Brown Welcome Center, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, Kitty Hawk United Methodist, Still Waters Baptist Church; In Kill Devil Hills– Town Hall, Kill Devil Hills Library, Baum Center, Dare Co. Water Dept, Dare Co. Planning & Zoning, Dare Co. Environmental Health, Outer Banks Presbyterian; In Nags Head– Town Hall, Jennette’s Pier, St. Andrews By the Sea, OBX Family YMCA, The Ark Int’l Church; In Manteo– Town Hall, Manteo Library, OBX Visitors Bureau, Dare Co. Social Services, Health Clinic, College of the Ablemarle, College of the Albemarle (Roanoke Island), Haven Creek Baptist Church, Free Grace Baptist Church, Mount Olivet United Methodist, Manteo Baptist Church, Manteo Faith Baptist; In Rodanthe– Dare Co. Water Department; In Frisco – Dare Co. Social Services, Dare Co. Planning, Dare County Water Dept, Health Clinic;  In Buxton­- Fessenden Center;  In Hatteras– Hatteras Library, Burrus Red and White.

If you have questions or for additional information about the plan, please contact Kerry Morrow at kmorrow@ncdot.gov or visit www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/tpb/planning/DARECTP.html.

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Meetings Scheduled Regarding Ferry Rates:

SWAN QUARTER - Hyde County Manager Mazie Smith successfully negotiated with the N.C. Department of Transportation to hold a public meeting on proposed ferry toll increases on Ocracoke Island. DOT initially proposed the meeting be held in Swan Quarter.

"This is a huge issue that directly affects Ocracoke and we need to make sure all citizens are given a fair chance to comment,'' said Smith. "This is their road."

DOT prepared to accommodate Ocracoke residents by offering extended runs on the Swan Quarter ferry the night of the meeting. But, traveling to the Hyde County seat would create a hardship and inconvenience for many Ocracoke residents, not to mention a very long day. Calculating travel times, Smith pointed out those attending likely wouldn't get back to the island until around midnight. This would make it nearly impossible for elderly citizens and families with children to attend. "We want as many people there as we can get," said Smith.

According to a N.C. DOT release, the General Assembly mandated ferry revenue to be increased up to $5 million annually. Now, DOT has to raise rates on the three tolled routes and begin tolling two additional routes. Private firm CDM SMITH was hired by DOT to conduct a study regarding current ferry usage, possible ferry toll increases, and improvements necessary to efficiently and effectively impose toll increases and new toll collection.

A presentation of the study has been released by DOT. Click here to view the slideshow.

The meeting in Hyde was originally set for Wednesday, January 18 at 7 p.m. in the Government Center in Swan Quarter. Now, it will be held the same time and date at the Ocracoke School Gym.

In addition to the Hyde meeting, three others will be conducted along the state's coast. Dates, locations and times are as follows:

Thursday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m.

Beaufort Community College

5337 U.S. 264 East, Washington

Monday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m.

Morehead City-Beaufort, NC No. 1710 Elks Lodge

400 Miller Farm Rd., Morehead City

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m.

I.L.A. Union Hall

211 West 10th Street, Southport

For more information, contact Jamille Robbins, NCDOT- Human Environment Unit at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh 27699-1598, (919) 707-6085 or jarobbins@ncdot.gov. Additional written comments regarding the proposed tolls may be submitted to Robbins until Feb. 10.

Persons who are disabled or may require special services should contact Robbins as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

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NCDOT to Hold Public Meeting for Proposed U.S. 158 Improvements in Camden and Currituck Counties

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Monday, Jan. 23, for the proposed U.S. 158 widening project from east of N.C. 34 in Belcross to N.C. 168 in Barco.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Central Elementary School, located at 504 Shortcut Road in Barco. NCDOT representatives will be available in an informal setting to answer questions and gather public input regarding the proposed project. Citizens may attend at any time to ask questions, submit written comments or view project maps. There will not be a formal presentation. Comments received from the public will be used in the preparation of project designs.

The department proposes to widen U.S. 158 to four lanes with a median. The new lanes will be added to either the north or south side of the existing road. The project will require additional right-of-way acquisition, as well as the relocation of homes and businesses. No designs have been prepared for the project as of yet.

For more information, contact NCDOT Project Planning Engineer Joseph Miller of the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit at 1548 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1548, by phone at (919) 707-6031 or by email at josephmiller@ncdot.gov.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Miller as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.

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