The Mid-Currituck Bridge is a proposed bridge that would connect mainland North Carolina to the Outer Banks, crossing the Currituck Sound. The bridge would span approximately 4.7 miles, connecting Aydlett on the mainland to Corolla on the Outer Banks.
The project has been discussed and debated for many years, with supporters arguing that the bridge would improve access to the Outer Banks, reduce traffic congestion on existing roads, and promote economic development in the area. Critics, on the other hand, have raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of the bridge and its cost.
As of September 2021, the project was still in the planning stages, with no definite timeline for construction. However, it has received funding from the state of North Carolina and the Federal Highway Administration, and some preliminary work had already been done, such as environmental studies and public hearings. The project has also faced legal challenges from environmental groups, which have expressed concerns about the impact on the wildlife and the sound’s ecosystem.
On February 23, 2023, the U. S. Fourth Court of Appeals upheld lower court rulings in favor of the N.C. Department of Transportation, paving the way for the construction of the Mid-Currituck Bridge. The lawsuit was filed by the Southern Environment Law Center on behalf of the NC Wildlife Federation and the Mid-Currituck Bridge group, which is composed of citizens opposed to the bridge. The lawsuit alleges NCDOT did not follow procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act. Press releases from the Southern Environmental Law Center following the court’s decision indicate they will continue to work to ensure North Carolina does not waste money on this, ”costly and unwise” bridge project.
You can find more details about the Mid-Currituck bridge project here:
https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/mid-currituck-bridge/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.thinkcurrituck.com/blog/where-is-the-mid-currituck-bridge