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County describes 30‑inch sound crossing repair; contractors say pile‑driving noise likely for weeks
Summary
Dare County managers told the Nags Head Board that a 30‑inch water main replacement under the sound is underway with a target completion of April 30; contractors expect pile‑driving noise (about 80–90 dB outside) for roughly three weeks on each side and said redundancy should be restored well before mid‑June seasonal demand.
County Manager Allen (S23) and Utilities Director William Nash (S25) briefed the board on the repair and replacement of a failed water main that brings water to the barrier‑island beaches.
Allen said the break required immediate action. The county bought the replacement 30‑inch pipe and solicited bids; the contractor mobilized the week of Feb. 3 and will bore and install pipe from both sides, meeting in the middle. The county's contract targets an April 30 completion to restore redundancy before peak seasonal demand in mid‑June. Allen said the county had set aside $16 million in water reserves to cover the project.
William Nash (identified as the utilities director) explained construction details: crews will hammer 54‑inch steel casing in preparation for the horizontal boring that will reach about 80 feet below the sound. That initial pile‑driving and casing work is the primary expected noise source and may generate 80–90 decibels outside for about three weeks on each side of the sound; noise should be lower inside homes and limited to daytime working hours. Nash said the contractor will work from both sides to shorten the schedule and that the pipe lead time had been the critical path item.
Board members asked about expected working hours, noise levels, impacts to homeowners on Pond Island, and whether other projects were upcoming. Nash said crews will work roughly 10–12 hour days during normal work hours; the town manager/Allen said staff had contacted nearby homeowners and distributed direct contact information for the utilities team. Allen said the old pipe had been laid on the seabed rather than bored and that burying the new pipe at 80 feet should extend service life.
The county told the board there are contingency plans and a contract between towns and the county that governs emergency responses, including demand‑management measures if unforeseen delays occur. Unless something goes wrong, officials said, the public should not have cause for alarm.
Next steps: county staff will continue work through the scheduled completion date and remain available to answer resident concerns; the county and utilities director encouraged residents to call with construction problems or damages.
