The NCDOT has received federal approval for a new 6.2 mile $440 million toll bridge on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
The Mid-Currituck Bridge would run from the mainland, near where highway 17 ends, to the town of Corolla and the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge (with all those wild horses).
If you currently travel from where the new toll bridge would start, near Coinjock, NC, to the town of Corolla, it would take you over an hour;
Once the bridge is complete, that same drive would take you less than 10 minutes.
Environmental groups, however, are raising concerns about the half-billion-dollar price tag and how the new bridge might affect the surrounding landscape and wildlife patterns.
Before the new bridge could move forward, the NCDOT would need to provide evidence that the bridge would not significantly harm the environment, as well as acquiring the land, securing financing, and finalizing the construction plans.
The NC Turnpike Authority says the bridge’s revenue from tolls will cover most of its costs, but the state would still be responsible for coming up with initial upfront costs of about $173 million.
It’s not yet been determined how much the new toll might cost.
What do you think about the new bridge?