Sneads Ferry impacted by another road closing

Sneads Ferry, NC -- the small New River Inlet Village that will see the most impact from the US Marine Corps' decision to close NC 172 -- suffered another transportation blow when a bridge on nearby NC 210 will be closed by NCDOT for repairs. NC 210 is the main route into Sneads Ferry from either US 17 and Jacksonville or from NC 172.

The bridge repairs are to begin this October.

Many residents are concerned about the impact of the two road closures isolating their town. "Most people I know are more concerned with the closure of (N.C.) 210 than they are of (N.C) 172," said Sneads Ferry Community Council chairman John Uhrick.

The bridge replacement is expected to take six to seven months. The state was unable to gain environmental clearance for a temporary crossing, so for three months NC 210 will need to be closed. The remainder of the construction traffic using the new bridge will be restricted to an alternating single lane.

See: Jacksonville Daily News - "Another road, another closing."

Commentary:

This is a second blow to the community of Sneads Ferry. First, the NC 172 closing will require residents wanting to head north towards Morehead and Beaufort to go through Jacksonville. This second closing - albeit temporary and in the fall - will close the main route into Jacksonville. Could the Marines re-open NC 172 during the three months NC 210 is closed? Or even offer, Sneads Ferry residents temporary passes to access NC 172 through the base?

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