RALEIGH, N.C. — Two decisions that hit Outer Banks drivers directly are on the table Thursday, Nov. 5, when the North Carolina Board of Transportation holds its monthly meeting in Raleigh: new tolls on ferries that have always been free, and buying land so N.C. 12 can be shifted away from the surf by the Pea Island Visitor Center.
The toll question comes from Session Law 2026-41, which orders the state Department of Transportation to charge tolls on every state ferry route by Jan. 1, 2027. Four routes now carry vehicles at no cost, and three of them serve the northeast coast and sounds: Hatteras-Ocracoke, Currituck-Knotts Island and Bayview-Aurora, along with Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach.
Under the plan Ferry Division Director Jed Dixon brought to the board in October, a standard car would pay $10 each way between Hatteras and Ocracoke, and $7 each way on the other three routes. Longer vehicles would pay more, while motorcycles, bicycles and walk-on riders would pay less. Fares on routes that already charge would not change.
The same law sets up a $150 yearly commuter pass for active-duty military members and qualifying permanent residents of the 20 coastal counties, covering one vehicle on all routes for a year. Dixon said the passes would go on sale online and in person this month.
The state expects the new tolls to bring in about $4.4 million a year on average. That money is legally tied to replacing aging boats, and it still falls short of what the agency says it needs to cover 80% of one new vessel every four years.
Board members already voted in October to ask lawmakers for more time before collection starts. Only the General Assembly can move the Jan. 1 date, so approval of the rates Thursday would not settle when drivers first pay.
The board is also set to authorize buying right of way to shift N.C. 12 near Pea Island, where ocean overwash has damaged the road and twice since late September left Hatteras Island cut off. Other local items include more N.C. 12 safety work and a debris removal agreement for Duck.
Section: More Outer Banks NC crime news
Filed under: Outer Banks NC Traffic News
