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The Town of Southern Shores issued a press release February 23 sharing the result of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision.

The plaintiffs – an environmental organization and a community organization opposed to the bridge project – claimed that the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration didn’t abide by National Environmental Policy Act when they approved the bridge project.

“The district court disagreed and granted summary judgment for the defendants. We affirm,” said the opinion written by Judge Diaz.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision of District Judge Louise Flanagan of the Eastern District of North Carolina.

For many, this decision will be welcomed as a huge win for local Outer Banks towns, particularly Southern Shores and Duck, that battle traffic every weekend with tourists trying to get to Corolla beaches. Attempts to build a bridge have been opposed for decades.

An Amicus Brief or “friend of court” statements of support for the bridge were filed by the towns of Southern Shores and Duck, Currituck County, Dare County Tourism Board, Duck Community and Business Alliance, and the Currituck Chamber of Commerce.

Oral arguments were heard in December and a decision was made February 23.

“This decision overcomes a huge hurdle and allows planning, design and permitting work to resume,” said the Town of Southern Shores press release.

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