Hurricane Irene breached the road in two locations in 2011 and NCDOT has been looking into long-term solutions. The options being considered are for a bridge within the existing easement of the NC 12 or one at a new location.

The bridge within the existing easement would be about 3.7km long while the bridge at a new location would be about 4km long and would cross Pamlico Sound.

Costs are put at between US$187.5 million and US$215.5 million for the bridge within the existing easment and from US$203.3 million to US$236.3 million at the new location.