Ocracoke Access Alliance

07/31/2026

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has reported that the dredge Liberty Island will arrive in Buxton on Thursday, July 30, 2026 and is expected to begin pumping sand on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The contractor will begin pumping in the middle of the Buxton project area, near Ocean Drive and work north. Once pumping within the northern portion of the Buxton project area is complete, contractors will begin working south from Ocean Drive until they finish with the southern taper. The fill direction is subject to change based on weather conditions and the borrow area being dredged.

Great Lakes has also announced that a second dredge will arrive in Dare County in mid-August 2026 to assist with the Buxton beach nourishment project. With the addition of the second dredge, the project is expected to remain on schedule for completion by September 30, 2026.*

Approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand will be placed along Buxton’s oceanfront beaches from the Haulover Day Use Area to just south of the Buxton Beach Access over an estimated 95-day construction period, depending on weather and ocean conditions.*

07/28/2026

https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/state-budget-corrections-bill-leaves-out-change-to-ferry-toll-requirements/

From SamWalkerOBXNews.com Despite pleas from local officials and the area’s state senator, the requirement to add tolls to the currently free ferry routes will remain for now in the state […]

07/21/2026

CALL TO ACTION: Please urge the NCGA to delay implementation of ferry tolling until January 2028! It's just not possible to implement by January of 2027. Contact info for electeds can be found at ncleg.gov.

07/14/2026

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company has announced an updated timeline for the Buxton beach nourishment project, with the dredge Liberty Island now expected to arrive in Dare County during the week of Monday, July 27, 2026.* This revised schedule is approximately one week later than the previously anticipated arrival during the week of July 20, 2026.

To help maintain the original construction schedule, Great Lakes has also announced that a second dredge will arrive in Dare County in mid-August 2026 to assist with the Buxton project. With the addition of the second dredge, the project is expected to remain on schedule for completion by September 30, 2026.*

On June 22, 2026, the Liberty Island departed the Avon beach nourishment project and traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, for maintenance and repairs. Shortly thereafter, the hopper dredge Amelia Island arrived in Dare County to complete the Avon beach nourishment project while repairs were underway. Beach nourishment in Avon was successfully completed on June 25, 2026.

During maintenance in Norfolk, it was determined that the Liberty Island requires the replacement of a specialized pump used for beach nourishment operations. Great Lakes is currently awaiting fabrication and installation of the replacement pump before the dredge can resume pumping sand. While awaiting this specialized component, the Liberty Island is temporarily working on another project that does not require pumping operations. The vessel is not performing beach nourishment or dredging work elsewhere that would otherwise delay its arrival in Buxton.

Once the replacement pump has been installed, the Liberty Island will depart for Dare County and is expected to arrive during the week of Monday, July 27, 2026, when beach nourishment operations in Buxton will begin. Approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand will be placed along Buxton's oceanfront beaches over an estimated 95-day construction period, depending on weather and ocean conditions.*

07/14/2026

07/07/2026

We are thankful to the ferry employees and all they do to help keep us connected. We appreciate y’all!

06/30/2026

NAGS HEAD, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein and First Lady Anna Stein visited the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry during a trip to the coast.In a social media post, Stein sai

06/30/2026

Draft budget would impose ferry tolls on all routes starting in January, while adding short-term funding for division https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/draft-budget-would-impose-ferry-tolls-on-all-routes-starting-in-january-while-adding-short-term-funding-for-division/

06/29/2026

06/29/2026

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has also announced an updated timeline for the Buxton beach nourishment project, with sand placement now expected to begin the week of July 20, 2026!

Find up-to-date information about the Buxton beach nourishment project, including a detailed project map, Avon beach nourishment photos and Avon beach nourishment news releases.