Construction Projects Begin or Near Completion in Seashore

Date: April 16, 2014
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-475-9034

Superintendent Barclay Trimble announced today that DOT Construction/Barnhill Contracting Company has begun the construction project for the new designated Ramp 25 (located east of Rt. 12, between Ramp 23 and Ramp 27 on Hatteras Island) for off-road vehicle (ORV) and pedestrian access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.The project, funded with ORV fee monies, marks the continuation of several proposed construction projects to facilitate beach access for the public identified in the final Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan for the Seashore.

The project includes:

• Creation of a 30 foot wide sand/shell mix ramp leading from Rt. 12 to the beach
• Modification of the dune to create a gentle slope for ORV traffic while maintaining a crest height similar to the existing dune landscape
• A boardwalk will be constructed parallel to the new ramp to provide for pedestrian access.The boardwalk will be ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant.

The total construction project is expected to be completed by late summer.All public entry to the area is prohibited during construction.

In addition, three other contracts on Ocracoke Island are nearing completion.The Ocracoke Soundside Ramp and Silver Lake Marina dock projects, both Hurricane Sandy funding projects, received major renovations and will be ready for use later this spring.

Some improvements at the Ocracoke Soundside Ramp include:

• new finger piers
• replacement of broken concrete ramps
• replacement of failed wooden bulkheads on both sides of the boat ramp with new vinyl sheet pile bulkheads.

The Silver Lake Marina dock project includes:

• new decking material
• new electric and water service
• newly installed electric and water pedestals and boat cleats.

The Ocracoke Campground water line project, in the final stages and funded with annual cyclic maintenance monies, will be partially completed by opening day, Friday, April 18^th, for the 2014 camping season.The entire campground will be opened the first week of May.

For more information, please contact the park at 252-473-2111 or for general information check the park website at www.nps.gov/caha.

-NPS-