Project Overview

Updated 11/22/22

As many of you know, the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has long planned to add a new bridge, the Rodanthe bridge, to bypass the infamous Highway 12 S-turns and improve access to Hatteras Island. The power delivered to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands is exclusively provided by the transmission line that runs parallel to the existing highway. NCDOT has now completed the bridge and it opened to traffic in July 2022.

Since December of 2021, CHEC has been working to install our transmission line under the new bridge. CHEC has awarded a contract to New River Electrical to complete the job of installing the hanger, conduit, and cables under the bridge. As of October 2022, all on-bridge work has been completed and cable testing was completed successfully. We will work to energize the new cables in late November or early December, as this work is weather and load dependent.

This website will be updated frequently with photos, press releases, timeline updates and anything else that we need to communicate about the project. You can also follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for project updates and photos.

Rodanthe Bridge Map — Map courtesy of NCDOT: https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/nc-12-rodanthe

Cable Installation Timeline

December 2021: Conduit & hanger installation begins.

New River Electrical’s subcontractor, Aptus, will work to install the conduit & hanger system underneath the bridge. This work will continue until May 2022.

June 2022: Work begins on north and south transitions

Contractors will work to install equipment necessary at the north and south ends of the bridge.

July 28, 2022: NCDOT opens bridge to traffic.

Now that NCDOT has shifted traffic onto the new bridge, our work will continue, requiring minor traffic delays during daylight hours, Monday mornings through Friday afternoons

July 2022: Cable Installation Begins

New River Electrical will begin installation of the new 115kV cable.

September 2022 Cable installation complete.

Crews complete the cable installation and required splicing.

November - December 2022: New cable is energized.

Crew will energize the new cable by the end of 2022. This work will be dependent on the electrical load of the islands. CHEC will communicate any planned outages that may be required for this final task.

Latest Press

Updated 10/10/22

Agencies Agree to Delayed Removal of Old NC Highway 12

After recent negotiations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC), has agreed to accommodate the delayed removal of a roadbed and sandbags along a 1.8 mile stretch of NC Highway 12 that will be bypassed by the new Rodanthe Bridge. This stretch of road traverses the Outer Banks’ Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. The agencies have evaluated flexibilities and have found a workable scenario that allows for this delay until the end of the 2022 hurricane season.

Click to Read

Jug Handle Bridge Opens to the Public - Island Free Press

Island Free Press: The Jug Handle Bridge officially opened to traffic on Thursday, July 28, after several delays that prolonged its expected completion in the spring of 2022.

The first southbound vehicles began moving across the structure at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, and northbound lanes were opened at 12:20 p.m.

Click to Read

CHEC Wraps up Work on the Jug Handle Bridge

While the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recently began the final phase of the Jug Handle Bridge project – removing the pavement from a two-mile former section of N.C. Highway 12 – the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) also celebrated a corresponding milestone this week.

During the construction of the new bridge, CHEC was also hard at work to build a new conduit system located under the 2.4-mile-long structure, in order to move power from the overhead lines just north of Rodanthe.

As of this week, CHEC reports that all its work on the bridge is done, and testing has begun on the new conduit system to ensure that everything is running smoothly.

Click to Read

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this project necessary?

Put simply, we need to keep the lights on. If we do not move the transmission line to the new bridge, power will eventually be disrupted as our existing overhead line will be exposed to Hatteras Island's extreme coastal environment and inaccessible to CHEC as NCDOT removes the asphalt, dunes and sandbags that are currently in place. Our cooperative is dedicated to providing reliable electric service in the face of these perpetual challenges, and this project is just one example of how we do so.

When does it start?

Contract crews have already begun work to install the hanger and conduit system under the bridge. The conduit and hanger installation is expected to be complete by the end of May 2022 and CHEC will take delivery of the new cable in July 2022. We expect the cable to be installed by the end of September 2022 and energized after that.

What effect will this work have on traffic to and from the island?

You should expect minor delays traveling to and from the island starting when NCDOT opens the new bridge to traffic, currently slated for June 2022. These minor delays will run through the end of September, when the cable installation is expected to be finished.

What hours and days will traffic be affected?

Crews will work during daylight hours, between 7a.m. and 7p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays, the work will run from 7a.m. to mid-afternoon. No work will be done between Friday afternoon and 7a.m. on Mondays.

What kind of traffic delays should I expect?

Because only one line of traffic can flow at a time, please anticipate a delay of 5 - 10 minutes as you traverse the bridge to and from the island. Traffic will be controlled by the construction team we have hired to move the transmission line. Of course, we'll work with them to help ensure delays are kept to a reasonable limit.

Why can't the work be done at night?

It is too dangerous. Although it would be more convenient for residents and visitors if the work could take place after sunset, there are too many hazards when working to install transmission equipment on a bridge over open water at night.

How can we stay updated on the project?

We will update this page regularly with the latest information about the project and any impacts to our members. Additionally, you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates. Photos of the project will also be shared on our Instagram.