From our news services
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) opened the temporary roadway at Pea Island to northbound traffic at 3 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 29, 2026).
With the initial congestion expected to clear Tuesday night, the temporary roadway will open to travel in both directions beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, alternating one direction at a time through the one-lane gravel detour controlled by an automatic flagger system.
When the temporary roadway opens on Wednesday morning, entry to Hatteras Island will be limited to Priority One, Priority Two and Priority Three individuals.
Ocracoke Island residents with proper identification are also allowed entry. A new State of Emergency has been declared, reflecting this.
Visitors are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island at this time.
Dare County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be stationed at a checkpoint at the north end of the Marc Basnight Bridge to verify credentials for those traveling south onto Hatteras Island.
To learn more about Dare County’s staged entry process or apply for a 2026 entry permit, visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.
Priority One: Essential Personnel
Priority One includes essential utilities personnel, government personnel, medical personnel and damage assessment personnel.
Essential personnel will be allowed entry with a 2026 reentry permit and matching government-issued identification.
Priority Two: Permanent Hatteras Island residents and essential personnel for critical businesses
Permanent Hatteras Island residents may enter with either:
- A valid North Carolina Driver License or Identification Card issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles that displays a physical Hatteras Island address; or
- A Voter Registration Card issued by the North Carolina State Board of Elections that displays a physical Hatteras Island address, along with a government-issued photo identification that matches the name on the Voter Registration Card.
To expedite movement through the checkpoint, permanent residents may also display a 2026 reentry permit.
Essential personnel for critical businesses must have a 2026 reentry permit and matching government-issued identification.
Priority Three: Non-resident property owners and non-resident employees of non-critical businesses
Non-resident property owners may enter with either:
- A current real property tax bill or property record and a matching, current government-issued photo ID; or
- A 2026 reentry permit and a matching, current government-issued photo ID.
Non-resident employees of non-critical businesses may enter with a 2026 reentry permit and a matching, current government-issued photo ID.
Travelers should have their required documentation ready for inspection at the checkpoint.
Visitors and the general public will not be permitted to enter Hatteras Island during Priority Three entry.
Visitors allowed access to Hatteras Island at 7 a.m. Thursday
All remaining Hatteras Island N.C. Highway 12 entry restrictions will be lifted at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1. At that time, visitors and the general public will be permitted to travel to Hatteras Island.
The phased reopening provides non-resident property owners, property managers and businesses additional time to access properties and prepare for the return of visitors following several days of disrupted access to Hatteras Island.
Visitors should not travel toward Hatteras Island before the remaining entry restrictions are lifted. Those with upcoming reservations are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider to confirm their reservation and property status before traveling.
Emergency Ferry Service
The emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point will remain in operation on its current schedule until officials determine the emergency route is no longer required.
Road conditions and additional information
For answers to questions about access and entry procedures, call the Dare County information line at 252-475-5655. Spanish translators are available.
For current road conditions and N.C. Highway 12 updates, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook.
