[Recipient Name]
June 5, 2013
Page 1
The Honorable Pat McCrory
Governor of North Carolina
20310 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 2769-0301
Dear Governor McCrory:
I am writing to ask you to support the Mid-Currituck Bridge Project. This bridge has been in the process of being evaluated for the past 30 years and is long overdue. The most recent project has made its way through the process and is now shovel ready. It will provide significant financial benefits to our community and state and will address key issues of safety and traffic congestion here in the Outer Banks.
Financially, the bridge will support tourism in both Currituck and Dare Counties, and will preserve the overall tourism image of North Carolina. The state receives 4.5 percent of our billion + dollar industry. Studies and design work have been completed and the bridge is ready for construction. Revenue from tolls will make this one of the most efficient projects in the state. In addition, the bridge will provide increased jobs and revenues during construction and long term will add another 150 jobs and $9.4 million to the Currituck economy.
Safety is a primary concern in the Outer Banks during periods of high storm activity. With 70,000 people in the Corolla and Duck area relying on one road for hurricane evacuation during the summer months, the time needed to reach safety is excessive. If as the environmental studies have predicted, a cut in the outer banks between Corolla and Duck is realized, there would be a major health and safety disaster.
Tourism traffic during the entire summer affects all health, fire, and business functions of the region because of excessive road congestion. A bridge would relieve this problem. Statistics show that about 35% of the traffic now crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge during peak periods would be diverted across this bridge, significantly reducing traffic and travel time for both Dare and Currituck counties.
As Outer Banks residents for the past -- years, we have witnessed first hand the need for this bridge. We urge you to support this important project for our community and our state.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,