Currituck County Reaffirms Support for Mid-Currituck Bridge

Responding to a recently filed lawsuit to block construction of the Mid-Currituck Bridge, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners have issued a statement affirming its continued support of the project.

It reads that the Board "remains steadfast in its support for the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge despite a recent lawsuit aimed at blocking the project’s construction."

County officials believe that the 7-mile span connecting the mainland to Corolla and the Outer Banks "will improve connectivity, increase public safety, and provide numerous benefits for the tourism and economic development industries."

On April 23, 2019, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) announced that they were representing the groups issuing the legal challenge. Those who oppose the bridge include local residents, along with hunters, fishermen and wildlife enthusiasts from the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

The official SELC statement claims that the Mid-Currituck Bridge "would cause significant damage to the Currituck Sound" and that "its pricey tolls, necessary to cover its high costs—by some estimates up to $50 during peak summer months—render the project only usable by wealthy tourists during their visits a few months each year during the summer season."

INFOGRAPHIC: What You Need to Know About the Mid-Currituck Bridge

For Currituck County officials, the primary focus remains on the safety benefits of the bridge (both for hurricane evacuation and improved access for first responders) and reduced commuting and travel times (for visitors AND year-long residents).

“This bridge has been in the works for more than three decades and is vital to the continued health of our economy and changing demands of our guests and residents,” said Bob White, Chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners.  

Click here to read the official press release.