Highway 12 Reopens, Restoring Northbound Access to Hatteras Island
North Carolina Highway 12, the primary access road for Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, has reopened for northbound traffic. This allows visitors stranded by recent storm damage and extensive wait times for emergency ferries to begin departing the island.…
Norfolk Portsmouth Newport News, VA, September 29, 2026 —
North Carolina Highway 12, the sole vehicular route connecting Hatteras Island to the mainland, has been reopened for northbound traffic. The restoration of access is a critical development for visitors who had become stranded following recent storm damage to the roadway.
The reopening of Highway 12 provides a much-needed pathway for stranded residents and visitors to depart Hatteras Island. This development is expected to alleviate the considerable wait times that many have experienced while awaiting emergency ferry services.
Crews worked to establish a temporary gravel detour to ensure the safe passage of vehicles. The establishment of this detour was instrumental in reinstating access to and from the island.
Specific details regarding the extent of the storm damage, the exact date of the reopening, or the number of individuals who were stranded have not been provided. Similarly, information regarding the duration for which the temporary detour will remain in place or any permanent repair timelines was not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Will Thomas on www.wtkr.com, see more information here.
