NCDOT to Host Public Meetings for Proposed Widening of U.S. 64 in Tyrrell and Hyde Counties

(Raleigh, N.C.) The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold two public meetings on regarding the proposed widening of U.S. 64 from Columbia eastward to U.S. 264 near Manns Harbor. The meetings will be held on Monday, April 23, Open House from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Formal Presentation at 7 p.m. at the  Columbia High School Auditorium, 902 Main St., and Tuesday, April 24, Open House from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Formal Presentation at 7 p.m. at the East Lake Community Building, 16674 U.S. 64. NCDOT is proposing to widen existing U.S. 64 from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway and build a new four-lane bridge over the Alligator River. The 27.3-mile project starts in Columbia and ends at U.S. 264 in Dare County.


The primary purposes of this project is to reduce the U.S. 64 hurricane evacuation times from eastern North Carolina and improve overall safety and mobility along this corridor. Additional right-of-way acquisition and the relocation of homes and businesses will be required for these projects.

NCDOT representatives will be available at the Pre-Hearing Open Houses to answer questions and receive comments regarding the proposed projects. The opportunity to submit written comments and questions will be provided. Interested citizens may attend at any time during the above hours.

The formal presentations will consist of an explanation of the proposed location, design, right-of-way and relocation requirements and procedures. Citizens will have the opportunity to comment or ask questions. The presentation and comments will be recorded and a transcript will be prepared.

A map displaying the location of the projects and a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) are available for public review at the NCDOT Resident Engineer’s Office located at 349 Waterplant Road, Unit B, Manteo; Dare County Clerk’s Office, 954 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo; and the Tyrrell County Administrative Office, 108 S. Water St., Columbia. Copies of the map and DEIS are also available on the project website at: http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/us64improvements/.

Copies of the DEIS are also available for review at the Dare County Public Library at 700 N. Highway 64/264, Manteo and the Tyrrell County Library, 414 Main St., Columbia.

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, also has the DEIS document available on their website, which can be accessed at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Wetlands/Notices/Current_notices.html.

Contained within this website is a local public notice drafted by the Corps announcing the release of this document as well as the description of the ongoing process in choosing the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative for the project.

For more information, contact Jamille Robbins, NCDOT-Human Environment Unit at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598, by phone at (919) 707-6085, or via email at jarobbins@ncdot.gov. Additional material may be submitted until May 24, 2012.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Robbins as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.