NC 12 in Outer Banks to reopen tonight

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The road that links the mainland to Hatteras Island is ready to reopen, more than a month after damage from Hurricane Irene blocked land access to that portion of the Outer Banks.

State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Greer Beaty says NC 12 will reopen to traffic by Monday evening.

The famed two-lane highway has been closed since Irene struck on Aug. 27. The Category 1 storm carved a new inlet north of Rodanthe and several breaches in the road that have required extensive repairs and restoration.

State officials said last week the road would be reopened by Tuesday.

Repair work has included the construction of a temporary bridge over a new inlet on the north end of Hatteras Island. Engineers hope a permanent solution will be ready by 2016.

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