The proposed mid county Currituck bridge is one of those things that you’re either very in favor of or extremely against. Personally, I can see both sides. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, allow me to extrapolate. According to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, the mid county bridge is projected to span seven miles from Currituck County after the Coinjock Bridge in Aydlett and join Corolla either near the Southern end or mid-way through Whalehead Beach near Timbuck II. The project is expected to cost over $659 million which will be paid for by tax dollars and a hefty toll fee for visitors. The plan was to ease the strain on visitor entry and to eliminate the occurrence of major bottleneck during an evacuation.
No one is surprised that most Corolla business owners are in favor of the bridge a. because their guests will be shaving between an hour or five off of their trip depending on the time of year and b. because the area will experience a heavy increase in its year round population. Imagine: Corolla will now be a meager 30 - 45 minute drive from downtown Norfolk. Year round jobs will increase, government structure will grow and the beaches will be more crowded but the economy will be stronger 12 months out of the year.
On the other hand, Duck business owners will lose out on hundreds of thousands of drive by guests annually. The two lanes in Southern Shores and Duck have long been a sore spot for Corolla-bound guests but have brought the two towns revenues from gas, dining and retail dollars. With the proposed plan, Corolla guests will never have to leave Corolla.
I hate to see the Duck folks suffer but I do like the idea of seeing that traffic dwindle. The bridge is supposed to be open by 2014, just in time for Beach Realty / Kitty Hawk Rentals to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Duck business will make it just like they always have; with their niche image and small town atmosphere and Corolla will grow (hopefully not too much). The way I see it, change is always somewhat painful; but, after the initial move, everyone will adjust and life will go on.
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