Construction to replace the water line that is located between the villages of Avon and Buxton on Hatteras Island was completed in December 2023.

On November 1, 2022, crews began to replace approximately 1.5 miles of the existing water line with brand-new, stronger C900 PVC piping. The project—which was originally expected to be completed on April 1, 2023—was finished ahead of schedule, with the new line being placed into service on December 12, 2022. 

From November 2018 to September 2022, the existing 12” PVC Avon-Buxton water line experienced 10 ruptures. In the early part of these ruptures, the Dare County Water Department began recording the pressure on the water line and determined that the highest pressure spike on the line was 80 psi. The new 12” PVC pipe that has been installed between the villages of Avon and Buxton is able to withstand 200 psi.

The Avon-Buxton water line replacement project was placed in Dare County’s 2023 Fiscal Year budget and cost approximately $1 million to complete. Replacement of the water line was performed by Basnight Construction Inc. For more information about the Dare County Water Department, please visit DareNC.gov/Water.

Below is a map of the water line rupture areas.

On the afternoon of Friday, August 19, 2022, Miss Katie—which is the result of a yearslong collaboration between Dare County officials and EJE Dredging Service, who owns the dredge— officially arrived in Wanchese, which will serve as the dredge’s homeport.

Under the direction of the Oregon Inlet Task Force, Miss Katie is tasked with helping to address the significant shoaling that occurs in various channels and inlets throughout Dare County in an effort to keep these waterways open and navigable for both commercial and recreational vessels.

Learn more: DareNC.com/MissKatie

View the Miss Katie dredge Christening Ceremony highlights:

For decades, Dare County has focused on investing in the future of area students, and nowhere is this more evident than the county’s partnership with College of The Albemarle. Dare County is home to two COA campuses—one of which just underwent a major transformation that will have an incredible impact on students, the local workforce and the Outer Banks economy.

In September, the demolition process began at COA’s Roanoke Island campus on Highway 64 in the heart of Manteo. The large brick building on the site was torn down to clear the site for the construction of a cutting-edge new academic building that will take its place.

The structure that was demolished has a long and rich history on the Outer Banks. It was built in 1958 and initially served as Manteo High School. In 1983, it became the site of Manteo Middle School before it eventually became a second location for COA in 2006.

Construction of the 30,000-square-foot facility began in February 2021. The new building—which will serve as flex space that can adapt and evolve as demand and needs at the college change—was completed in April 2022.

By constructing this new facility and consolidating COA’s two campus sites on the Outer Banks, Dare County will ensure the continued use of education at this location—and also provide an opportunity for area students to earn a high-quality education right here at home in Dare County.