Crews with the N.C. Department of Transportation and Parsons Construction Group Inc. of Greenville, S.C. have begun preliminary work for the construction of the permanent N.C. 12 bridge on Pea Island in Dare County. 

Installation of safety fencing and erosion control measures began last week. Crews this week will begin mobilizing equipment to the project site. They will also begin clearing brush and moving ground for the construction of a temporary, on-site detour for the project. Traffic is currently scheduled to be shifted to the on-site detour in stages starting later this month.

The 2.1-mile-long permanent bridge will replace the temporary bridge currently standing where Hurricane Irene breached the highway in 2011, in an area where inlets have historically opened and closed. The new bridge will be built parallel to the existing bridge.

A $79.7 million contract was awarded to Parsons Construction Group in December 2013 for the project. As part of the bid, the contractor committed to completing the work within 800 calendar days, or approximately two years and two months. The new bridge is scheduled to open to traffic in spring 2016.

Motorists are advised to use caution while traveling in the area. NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit. 

For more information on this and other projects along the Outer Banks, visit the NCDOT N.C. 12 Facebook Page. For information on ferry service to and from Hatteras Island, as well as other NCDOT ferry routes, visit the NCDOT Ferry Division Facebook page.