The economic lifeline to Hatteras Island reopened today after being washed out by Hurricane Irene. Highway 12 reopened to traffic shortly after 5:00 p.m.
The hurricane destroyed a section of the only road to Hatteras Island, and a new temporary bridge had to be built. That 664 foot long bridge cost $6.5 million.
The DOT says it hopes to have a permanent solution in place for the highway by 2016.
