The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is currently conducting a paving project on South Croatan Highway in Nags Head. Please keep this in mind when traveling the road and be sure to slow down to ensure everyone's safety.
March 8, 2023 Update
The asphalt overlay of the outermost southbound lane of the South Croatan Highway resurfacing project was completed yesterday. Paving crews are now working on the innermost northbound lane near The Outer Banks Hospital (Mile Post 14) and progressing north toward Hollowell Street (Mile Post 11.5/12), the northern extent of this phase of paving. Once completed with this lane work, paving crews will turn around and complete the innermost southbound lane to complete this section of paving.
Single lane closures are in effect along the active construction areas. We ask that motorists exercise caution when travelling in the active construction area. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while construction is ongoing.
March 2, 2023 Update
There's no work associated with this project taking place today due to rain. It is unlikely they will work tomorrow, Friday, March 3, 2023, as well.
On about Monday, March 6 or Tuesday, March 7, if all proceeds according to plan, the project's milling work will be taking place near Seachase Drive (north) and our fire station. The NCDOT contractor hopes to finish the outermost southbound lane by Tuesday of next week, with a goal of finishing this current section of the highway by the week of March 21.
These schedules may change, as they often do, with large construction projects, but that's the plan as it stands now.
We appreciate everyone's patience and the extra caution being taken on South Croatan Highway.
February 28, 2023 Update
Thanks to great weather, the NCDOT South Croatan Highway paving project is moving along well.
The outer, northbound lane of the highway has been paved from just south of Hollowell Street south to East Gray Eagle Street. A temporary lane closure is in place in advance of the active construction up through to approximately milepost marker 11.5 (just north of Hollowell Street).
The innermost southbound lane is open.
Construction is now concentrated on the outermost southbound lane and is progressing south. As of this morning, paving crews were working in front of Jockey’s Ridge. Advance work is occurring near Deering Street, with milling, sweeping, and a road tack application.
Weather permitting, paving operations will continue to work south the remainder of the week to tie in to the newly paved section near Mile Post 14.5.
Temporary lane closures will move southward as the new sections of pavement are completed.
Active construction may temporarily impact access to businesses and residential neighborhoods. If there are alternate routes that can be taken to these locations while active construction is occurring, please use them. Generally, construction related impacts are less than 24 hours in duration.
We ask motorists and pedestrians alike, to slow down and use caution when driving in the construction zone areas.
February 16, 2023 Update
The drainage pipe replacement project in front of our town hall is nearly complete and both northbound lanes of South Croatan Highway are open again.
**Please keep in mind there are still single lane closures on South Croatan Highway in Nags Head. These will continue, and change, as the paving project, and some small curb and drainage projects, progress.
Be prepared to come upon construction on South Croatan Highway while traveling in Nags Head. There are also some small infrastructure projects taking place on South Virginia Dare Trail.
February 15, 2023 Update
In addition to both southbound lanes of South Croatan Highway now open in front of Nags Head's town hall, one northbound lane has also reopened. However, there is still a lot of road work in the area of town hall (5400 block) and south to about Gull Street near the outlets. Please drive extra slowly both on the highway and on South Virginia Dare Trail, which has seen increased traffic as a result of the construction.
As you drive through town, you will notice additional single lane closures as NCDOT conducts other work such as curb ramp replacements, sidewalk repairs, and drainage installations. Curb ramp replacements are scheduled for East Admiral Street, East Hollowell Street/Carolista Drive, and East Mall Drive.
February 14, 2023 Update
Both southbound lanes of South Croatan Highway, from East Epstein Street south, have been reopened. Both northbound lanes remain closed, however.
February 10, 2023 Update
The NC Department of Transportation, along with The Fred Smith Company, intend to close South Croatan Highway/US 158 in both directions at Nags Head's town hall and fire station (5400 block of South Croatan Highway) starting Monday, February 13. This closure will allow for the replacement of the existing drainage pipe beneath the highway.
- The southbound lanes will be closed at East Epstein Street and the northbound lanes will be closed at South Seachase Drive . All traffic will be detoured to South Virginia Dare Trail.
- The NC DOT contractor plans to restore the southbound traffic once the initial stages of the pipe replacement have been completed and patched with asphalt. At least one lane of southbound traffic should be restored by the end of the day Tuesday, February 14.
- The northbound traffic will remain detoured to South Virginia Dare Trail until the crossing is complete.
**The locations of detours and scheduling of closures are subject to change.
All work is expected to be complete by the end of the day Friday, February 17.
February 8, 2023 Update
NCDOT has made significant progress over the past several days on the US Hwy 158 resurfacing project. Work has begun in two separate locations in town. In the north end of town, crews have been working to replace the cross-highway storm pipe near the W. Oak Knoll Dr. intersection. The roadway portion of this work is anticipated to be completed late this afternoon, with uninterrupted traffic flow in either direction permitted after completion.
Construction crews will relocate tomorrow near the E. Baltic St. intersection and begin with the cross-pipe replacement at this location. Northbound traffic will be re-routed to E. Barnes St. through to S. Virginia Dare Trail. It is anticipated a full road closure near this location may be necessary to aid with pipe installation and traffic control measure placement but should be short in duration.
Milling and paving have begun immediately north of E. Gray Eagle St., with the outer northbound lane resurfacing completed through to milepost marker 14.5, immediately south of the Nags Head Municipal Complex. Milling and paving have transitioned to the outer southbound lane, with the inner (3) lanes open to traffic. Paving operation will continue southward for the next several days, weather permitting.
Additional updates will be provided as construction progresses.
Advance traffic messaging will be provided around the Whalebone Junction area and near Colington Rd. to alert motorists of the temporary change in traffic patterns. Other traffic control measures will be placed in advance of the active construction zones.
The project schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or extenuating circumstances that can result in construction delays.
Watch a video of prestation that NC DOT representatives gave to Nags Head's Board of Commissioners at their February 1, 2023. View the accompanying PowerPoint presentation