From Cape Hatteras National Seashore
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore has approved a permit for Tideland Electric Membership Corporation to improve the reliability of electric service to Ocracoke Island with the installation of an underground cable at the end of Hatteras Island.
Erosion at the south end of Hatteras Island and washouts along Pole Road have increased enough in recent years that the integrity and reliability of the overhead line are at risk. The power line is the sole source of electricity to 1,385 customers on Ocracoke Island.
The project is expected to begin in January and take two months to install a 1.75-mile underground electric cable on Seashore property along Pole Road near the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum to the south end of Hatteras Island.
After the underground cable is installed, the overhead pole line will be dismantled, which will allow the present line route to return to its natural vegetative state.
The route along Pole Road was chosen for the underground cable to minimize the environmental impact of trenching dunes and the vegetated areas of the island.
Public access along sections of Pole Road will be periodically impacted during this important project. However, the construction will be completed in four segments to ensure beach access is available for visitor enjoyment. Detour routes for each segment will be published on the Seashore’s beach access web page.
Pole Road will continue to serve as an off-road vehicle route after the project is completed.
