This Land, Your Land

The National Park Service has confirmed that work to refurbish the Bodie Island Lighthouse will resume next month with completion anticipated in October.

Work was suspended last spring after the Park Service concluded it did not have the money to repair the extent of damage discovered after work had begun the previous year.

But this week's announcement of a $1.89 million contract award confirms Outer Banks Group Deputy Superintendent Darrell Echols' statement to the Outer Banks Voice newspaper in December that funds had been secured.

The work is to include the following renovations:

  * Restore deteriorated metal.
  * Restore components on the lantern level (support beams, masonry, railing/ladder).
  * Replace galley cornice segments.
  * Paint interior and exterior masonry.
  * Replace windows and glass on lantern level.
  * Paint all newly installed metals/wood.
  * Install fire suppression system and rehabilitate electrical power.
  * Install stair strengtheners.

The existing lighthouse, which stands near Oregon Inlet on Cape Hatteras National Seashore, is actually the third Bodie Island Lighthouse, each of which has had a troubled history.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has belatedly posted a news release stating that its Oregon Inlet Campground reopened on Saturday.

Beach Ramp 4 at the campground is also open, and the news release lists several other open ramps for OHV access to the beach.

Coquina Beach, north of Oregon Inlet, opened late last week, including the bathhouse and parking, and lifeguards are on duty during regular hours.

The three other Cape Hatteras campgrounds remain closed due to damages from Hurricane Irene, the September 2 news release says. Bodie Island Lighthouse and all other park facilities on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands remain closed, as well.

Hatteras Island south of Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke Island are closed to the public, and residents began a staggered return Sunday.

Storm damage in the park includes water damage to numerous facilities, damaged rooftops, scattered debris and tree limbs, and missing or damaged boardwalks, signs, posts and fencing materials.

Get details here of work to repair facilities and restore services at Cape Lookout, which has mostly reopened, and the National Parks Service's Outer Banks Group of sites, which includes Hatteras.

In roads news on the other side of the state (from the Smokies, see below), travelers can expect delays for "the next several months" along a portion of the main artery through Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

The first of several projects along N.C. 12 in the Bodie Island area begins February 14 with closing the two-lane road for resurfacing for about 30 days from just south of Whalebone Junction Visitor Center to the intersection of SR 1243 (Old Oregon Inlet Road). Plans are to initially detour traffic and open one lane as soon as possible, a park news release says.

Additional work along N.C. 12 will result in a single lane from SR 1243 to the Oregon Inlet Bridge beginning February 21.

Work is scheduled through May 27, and delays of up to 20 to 30 minutes are expected.