North Raleigh Today

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has scheduled a public hearing for February 27 at the Currituck County Center. The purpose is to gather public comments on the 401 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, controlled access toll road and bridge. This infrastructure would connect U.S. 158 near Coinjock/Aydlett to N.C. 12 near Corolla, linking the mainland in Currituck County to the Outer Banks. The plan includes a shorter bridge over Maple Swamp and a longer one crossing Currituck Sound.

The project's potential water quality impacts include placing fill material along the west bank of Currituck Sound to stabilize the shoreline and in jurisdictional wetlands in Maple Swamp or Great Swamp. According to their application, NCDOT and the N.C. Turnpike Authority seek certification for permanent wetland impacts covering 1.21 acres and temporary impacts exceeding 17 acres, with additional effects anticipated on submerged aquatic vegetation.

Public participation is encouraged through comments at the hearing or via mail or email submissions.

Details for Public Hearing:

- Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025

- Time: 6 p.m.

- Location: Currituck County Center, 120 Community Way, Barco, NC

- Registration: Opens at 5:30 p.m., onsite sign-in

Written comments must reach DWR by March 31, 2025. Submissions can be mailed to Garcy Ward at Division of Water Resources, Washington Square Mall address or emailed to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with “Mid-Currituck Bridge” as the subject line.

Under 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 surface water or wetland impacts have been minimized.

NCDOT's application details are available online under "Mid-Currituck Bridge 401 Application File," alongside a public notice from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District.