Whether you’re from the area or a long-time visitor, chances are that you’ve heard of the infamous “S-curves” on Pea Island. The name refers to a specific stretch of NC-12 that curves in an “S” shape right before entering the town of Rodanthe. Unfortunately, the “S-curves” are notorious for a reason—this stretch of road is regularly flooded during storms and hurricanes cutting off Hatteras Island from the rest of the world.
Sometimes the road is just impassable until sand is cleared. However, ocean overwash is common and in some cases, major hurricanes, like Irene and Sandy, have created breaches along this stretch of sand. These closures can be extremely detrimental to the local and state economy. First of all, it takes NC DOT thousands of dollars to repair the road after these storms. Meanwhile, residents are unable to get off the island except by boat or ferry. Lastly, tourism revenue (which greatly benefits the state of North Carolina as well as Dare and nearby coastal counties) takes a huge hit since visitors aren't able to get back onto the island. This can be especially costly during the peak summer and early fall months with unfortunately coincide with many major Atlantic storms.
Ultimately, since this stretch of land is extremely fragile, road reconstruction after each storm is just not an efficient or cost-effective fix. Although a long time coming, plans for a more permanent, long-term solution began after Hurricane Sandy. The concluding solution? The Rodanthe "Jughandle" Bridge.
Building a Bridge
The decided long-term solution was to build a bridge that bypassed the “S-curves” portion of NC 12 completely. The Record of Decision to build the bridge was issued by the Federal Highway Administration on December 15, 2016. Although a few different alternative bridge plans were considered, the 2014B Bridge plan was accepted. By January 2017, NC DOT had awarded the design and building contract to Flatiron Constructors, Inc.
The bridge itself will be 2.4 miles long and will utilize a “jug handle” design (jutting out into the Pamlico Sound and curving back around to meet the land at a point further South) to minimize environmental impact, particularly along the fragile shoreline.
The project is estimated to cost $145 million. The bridge itself should provide reliable passage for visitors and residents traveling to and from the northern towns of the Outer Banks and Hatteras Island. This bridge is part of Phase II of the Bonner Bridge Replacement Project and is the last of 3 recent bridges to be built on Hatteras Island, including the Captain Richard Etheridge Bridge on Pea Island, which was completed in 2018, and the Bonner Bridge, completed in 2019.
Completion and Opening
The construction process officially began in July 2018 and by September, the first piling was driven into the ground. Thanks to the use of innovative solutions designed to keep workflow moving smoothly despite unique island conditions, the bridge was formally completed and recognized by the NC Department of Transportation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9, 2022. After a short delay due to necessary updates to the pavement markings, the Jug Handle Bridge opened to traffic on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
Most of the 2.4-mile bridge has a 55-mph speed limit that decreases to 45 mph, then 35 mph as it approaches Rodanthe and eventually reconnects with N.C. Highway 12 at the end of a roundabout. The bridge crosses over the Pamlico Sound and the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) continues to install power cables under the bridge throughout 2022, so be prepared for possible intermittent daytime lane closures.
You can check out a video of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and community day celebration here.
Visiting Hatteras Island
While you’re on your Outer Banks Vacation, a day trip to Hatteras Island is a fun activity for the whole family! Aside from the great landmarks and restaurants, the trip itself allows visitors to explore a beautiful scenic byway. In fact, the Outer Banks is one of America’s Most Scenic Waterside Drives according to Travel+Leisure Magazine, so you definitely don’t want to skip out on a trip down the coast! It’s never too late to book a trip to the Outer Banks—simply check out our Last Minute Specials & Hot Deals to find the perfect beach home. If you prefer to stay further south, we even offer Outer Banks Vacation Rentals on Hatteras Island!
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Jessie has been coming to the Outer Banks since she was just 5 years old. She loved it here so much that she finally relocated in 2018. Now her mission is to show the world that the Outer Banks is an incredible place that everyone should experience. When she isn't working, you can find Jessie hanging out with her friends, chilling at home with her awesome cat, Yoji, or discovering a new Outer Banks adventure.
