County approves application for Federal Lands Access Program grant to build Frisco‑Buxton multi‑use pathway

Dare County commissioners on Aug. 4 authorized the county manager to submit a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant application for the Frisco‑Buxton multi‑use pathway project, a roughly 1.25‑mile concrete off‑road path intended to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety along N.C. 12 through the two villages on Hatteras Island.

Why it matters: Frisco and Buxton are two of the last villages on Hatteras Island lacking continuous off‑road pedestrian and bicycle facilities. County and local advocates told the board recent near‑misses and a vehicle‑cyclist crash underscore the safety need for sidewalks or a dedicated multi‑use path. The FLAP program supports projects that improve access to and from federal lands; the proposed segment would run from Billy Mitchell Road (airport access) to the Frisco beach access and include NCDOT right‑of‑way elements.

Funding and match: The project estimated cost was presented at $1.5 million; the FLAP program requires no local match in this application. Project proponents told the board they had already raised approximately $152,000 toward pathway maintenance and local match contingencies, and the project team will seek additional grants and community donations.

Next steps: The board approved submission of the FLAP application and authorized the county manager to sign the required resolution and application materials. If the grant is awarded the county would proceed with design, permitting and construction consistent with federal and NCDOT requirements.

Ending: Supporters said the pathway will improve safety for visitors and residents, particularly at night on stretches of N.C. 12 that lack lighting or sidewalks. The board’s approval allows the county to pursue the FLAP grant with no local match required for the application stage.