OBX inaccessible

[grigorib]

NCDOT says HWY 12 will be closed between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe till 6pm but it looks like with dune washed north of Rodanthe and couple of feet of sand on the pavement it might be not open even in a day or two.
Remember - if any lucky one got onto island early and checks in while rest of the crew is out blocked - travel insurance won’t pay.

Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a raised northbound road through that dark green in the middle of Mirlo beach? Could have been in place already and for less of federal money we all paid in taxes

Pics from instagram

[Toby]

looks like the new bridge is a good idea...

[grigorib]

Unfortunately they went with old idea of bridge through sound. $145M for 2 miles is a lovely contract to get. Built with European stainless steel.

[Toby]

but if the bridge runs not in the sound, and rather on the ocean side, it would be in 5 years in the middle of the ocean?

[grigorib]

but if the bridge runs not in the sound, and rather on the ocean side, it would be in 5 years in the middle of the ocean?

OBX is a giant sandbar moving towards mainland. Bridge "planned" lifespan is less than 30 years and if it was built over land it would take longer than that to become close/over sea.
There was a washout from 2012 hurricane north of Rodanthe and it took 5 years to replace temporary pontoon bridge with a permanent one. I'd guess the reason was there weren't enough profits in the project
And the sea...well it's where it's been. The washout is dry and barrier is being gradually and continuously rebuilt by nature itself.

So i'd say "under water in 5 years" is wildly exaggerated. Maybe in 50 but then it will be time to build a new one and large portion of the island will become sea anyways, which I doubt is going to happen - the island is not going under water nor is moving East that fast.

[grigorib]

Well, to be fair - this is situation when any bridge would be nice to have

[Hugh2]

Yup, this will just reinforce the opinion of this whoever decided to build this “panhandle” bridge. Luckily I made it out here yesterday before the dunes washed out last nigh north of Rodanthe. But there is sea water all over the place, middle of Avon, various spots like the lighthouse and cape point parking lots, and over the road down hatteras village way. Otherwise a good Kiting day in the sound, a bit too rough in the ocean.

[Toby]

Did a storm pass by ?

[grigorib]

As of this morning...
“Right now not only is the highway closed north of Rodanthe, it is also closed between Rodanthe and Avon, and even within Avon”

Road crews did a great job and rebuilt the dunes but high tide is messing up with work and brought more destruction. For anyone who needs to leave the island there's a ferry. But I'd rather stay and ride. You've got an excuse if you need one

Well, raised highway east of existing road would be nice (I mean as an opposite to mere 2 miles of bridge)

[BWD]

Did a storm pass by ?

First major fall noreaster has been blowing all over the east coast all week.