Fewer - and more - ferries

Hopefully you already know about the plan to replace the 7 bridges on the island starting on January 2nd, during which a large portion of highway 12 from the north end ferry landing down to the village will be closed.

But don't despair! If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can still come visit by way of the Hatteras ferry. You do need to know that there will be fewer ferries running from Hatteras, though. (More details below.)

If you don't drive a 4WD car or truck, you can of course still come to Ocracoke on either the Cedar Island or Swan Quarter ferry. There will be MORE ferry runs to Swan Quarter than there usually are during the winter. The Cedar Island ferry will run the same number of times as usual for this time of year (4 per day), but the scheduled times will be slightly different. See below for details from the official press release I received on this topic today.

Also, you can check status on the progress of the bridge replacement project as it proceeds at this website.

FERRY SCHEDULES TO OCRACOKE TO CHANGE
DURING BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION ON N.C. 12
Schedule changes take effect Jan. 2, 2008

MANNS HARBOR — The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division is adjusting schedules on several ferry routes beginning Jan. 2, 2008 through March 15, 2008, while seven bridges are replaced along N.C. 12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island .

During construction, traffic will be detoured from N.C. 12 onto the beach. Only four-wheel-drive vehicles will be allowed to take the beach detour. Because less traffic is expected from that end of the island, the Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry route will run as follows:

Hatteras to Ocracoke

Depart 5 a.m. (both sides)
Depart Ocracoke on even hours
Depart Hatteras on odd hours
Last departure from Ocracoke at 8 p.m.
Last departure from Hatteras at 9 p.m. (except for scheduled school events or emergencies)

Travelers can also reach Ocracoke by taking either the Cedar Island or the Swan Quarter ferry. The Swan Quarter ferry will run as follows:

Depart Ocracoke Depart Swan Quarter
6:30 a.m. 7 a.m. *
10 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m. 1 p.m.
4 p.m. * 4 p.m.
*Fuel and delivery priority runs will depart Swan Quarter on Tuesdays at 7 a.m. and depart from Ocracoke on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
Delivery trucks will use the Swan Quarter route and will have designated days and times to travel. The Swan Quarter ride takes about 2.5 hours and is a toll ferry. Fares for Ocracoke residents will be waived for the Ocracoke-Swan Quarter route during the bridge replacements.

During this time, the Cedar Island ferry will run as follows:

Depart Cedar Island Depart Ocracoke
7 a.m. 7 a.m.
10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.
2 p.m. 2 p.m.
5 p.m. 5 p.m.

The Cedar Island ferry route ride takes about 2.25 hours and also is a toll ferry.

For updated information on ferry schedules as construction takes place, visit the Ferry Division Web site at www.ncferry.org and for more information about tolls and to make reservations call 1-800-BY-FERRY.