THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512080512
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
DATELINE: HATTERAS ISLAND LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
The new three-mile portion of state Route 12 on Hatteras Island will open on the next dry day on which temperatures remain above 40 degrees, North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesman Bob Capehart said Thursday.
The new two-lane stretch of the highway was scheduled to open Thursday. But cooler temperatures and a steady rain prevented workers from paving the final portion of that route.
``We've got about a half-day of paving left, which will be completed on the next dry day,'' Capehart said. ``We'll get that road open as soon as possible.''
Running parallel to North Carolina Route 12 and about 300 feet west of the existing road, the new portion of the highway begins at the Pea Island Visitor Center and runs to just past the maintenance area at the southern end of the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. The project cost taxpayers about $3 million. It was built farther from the ocean than the old road in an effort to keep sand and saltwater off the pavement.
The new stretch of blacktop is about the same elevation as the old route. by CNB