Old North News

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has scheduled a public hearing on February 27 at the Currituck County Center. The purpose is to gather public comments on the water quality certification application submitted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority for the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge project.

The proposal involves constructing a 7-mile, two-lane toll road and bridge to connect mainland Currituck County with the Outer Banks near Corolla, North Carolina. This includes connecting U.S. 158 near Coinjock/Aydlett to N.C. 12 near Corolla, featuring a shorter bridge over Maple Swamp and a longer crossing over Currituck Sound.

Key environmental impacts from this project include placing fill material along the west bank of Currituck Sound to stabilize the shoreline where the bridge will be located, as well as in jurisdictional wetlands in Maple Swamp or Great Swamp. NCDOT and the Turnpike Authority are seeking certification for permanent wetland impacts covering 1.21 acres and temporary impacts affecting more than 17 acres, alongside anticipated effects on submerged aquatic vegetation.

The public is encouraged to participate by submitting comments at the hearing or via mail or email. Written feedback must reach DWR by March 31, 2025. Comments can be mailed to Garcy Ward at Division of Water Resources or emailed with “Mid-Currituck Bridge” as the subject line.

According to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, state certifications are necessary for federally permitted activities that might discharge into navigable waters. The certification will evaluate if state water quality standards are met and whether efforts have been made to minimize impacts on surface waters or wetlands.

NCDOT’s application for this certification is available online under "Mid-Currituck Bridge 401 Application File," along with a related public notice from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District.