NC 12 is the "lifeline" for the communities on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, connecting the islands to each other and to the mainland of North Carolina. Island residents depend on the roadway for off-island community services, such as hospitals, emergency response, and waste collection. Children on Hatteras Island depend on NC 12 to travel to school in Buxton. NC 12 is also the primary evacuation route for all permanent and temporary residents on the island, when severe weather is approaching.

Storms frequently cause the ocean to overwash NC 12 and deposit large quantities of sand over portions of the roadway. The storms sometimes damage NC 12, interrupting access and services to the island and placing severe hardships on island residents. The worse the damage to NC 12, the longer it takes the NCDOT to repair the roadway. Longer repair times increase delays in using NC 12 and increase the hardship to residents needing access through the island and to the mainland. NC 12 must be continually repaired and maintained to prevent permanent loss of access on Hatteras Island.

The primary purposes of the proposed projects are to implement interim measures to maintain the integrity and viability of a transportation system (movement of people, goods and services) with minimal interruption of traffic service.

Studies

In 1991, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) sponsored research to identify specific sections of North Carolina's coastal highways in critical need of improvements. The research concluded that six sections of NC 12 on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands frequently need extensive maintenance due to severe storm and erosion damage. These critical sections, or "hot spots," include Northern Pea Island, Old Sandbag Area, the Rodanthe 'S' Curves, Buxton/Canadian Hole, Hatteras Village, and Ocracoke. These "hot spots" are now the focus of several environmental studies and are included in the 2009 – 2015 NCDOT Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Hot Spots

A summary of the project studies is also provided for each "hot spot." All project studies will be completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

• The Northern Pea Island "hot spot" (TIP No. R-3116 F) begins south of Oregon Inlet and extends 2.5 miles to just beyond the ponds at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (PINWR). Planning studies for this project were underway, but they are currently (2008) on hold and are not expected to be implemented, since the preferred alternative for the Bonner Bridge replacement project (TIP No. B-2500) provides a long-term solution to protecting NC12 from overwash.
• The Old Sandbag Area "hot spot" (TIP No. R-3116 E) begins near the Visitor's Center at PINWR and extends south to the PINWR Ranger Station. Planning studies for this project were underway, but they are currently (2008) on hold and are not expected to be implemented, since the preferred alternative for the Bonner Bridge replacement project (TIP No. B-2500) provides a long-term solution to protecting NC12 from overwash.
• The Rodanthe 'S' Curves "hot spot" (TIP No. R-3116 D) begins approximately two miles north of SR 1495 and extends south to SR 1492. Planning studies for this project were underway, but they are currently (2008) on hold and are not expected to be implemented, since the preferred alternative for the Bonner Bridge replacement project (TIP No. B-2500) provides a long-term solution to protecting NC12 from overwash.
• The Buxton/Canadian Hole hot spot (TIP No. R-4070 B) begins near SR 1231 in Buxton and extends north approximately 4.7 miles to SR 1421. A portion of NC 12 in this area was relocated shortly after Hurricane Dennis in 1999, but flooding and overwash still occur at the north and south ends.
• The Hatteras Village "hot spot" (TIP No. R-3116 B) begins near SR 1272 in Hatteras Village and extends north 1.7 miles.
• The Ocracoke Island "hot spot" (TIP No. R-3116 A) begins just south of the Hatteras ferry terminal continuing 4 miles southward on Ocracoke Island.