County Commissioners Take a Step Towards Acquiring Funds for Hatteras Pathway

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at their June 17 meeting to submit an application for the federal BUILD Grant in an effort to secure funding for the Hatteras village multi-use path project.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD Grant program provides funding for projects that have a significant local or regional impact. A similar resolution was adopted in 2018, and an application that stemmed from the resolution was denied, however, Planning Board Director Donna Creef noted that the chances of acquiring grant funds through the program are improved this year.

“Hatteras village has hired a gentleman who has a past history of writing grants, so he is helping with it this year, and hopefully we will submit the grant and be successful,” said Creef.

A recent survey was also conducted for the pathway, which provides a detailed outline of where the pathway will be located. Chairperson for the Hatteras Village Community Center District (HVCCD) Ricki Shepherd stated in an earlier interview that having a concrete survey could increase the odds of securing grant funds as well.

“The deadline for the BUILD grant is July, and last year, we found out about it at the last minute and sent in an application on the deadline date,” said Shepherd in the interview. “This year, with the completion of the surveys, we have skin in the game, and I think our chances are very good to get the money to actually build the pathway.”

The resolution that was passed at Monday’s meeting was very similar to the 2018 version, however it noted that the Ocracoke passenger ferry was in service, (instead of being a work in progress), which increases the need for reliable transportation in the village.

“That BUILD grant, if this is successful, [is] going to be providing some inertia for some real critical mass here,” said Hatteras Island County Commissioner Danny Couch at the meeting. “This is almost going to ensure that we can complement that money and get this done. This is critical.”

Creef also stated at the meeting that if the grant application was successful, it could result in roughly $1 million in funds for the project.

The 3.75-mile pathway will stretch from the Hatteras ferry docks to the northern town borders, and will include a loop along Eagle Pass Road, making all areas along the route safer and more accessible. BUILD grants are announced in December, and if funds are obtained, construction on the pathway could start as early as spring, 2020.

The motion to submit the grant application was unanimously approved by the seven-member board. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” said Chairman Bob Woodard.

The resolution can be viewed online here.

Learn how you can help move the Hatteras Village Multi-Use Pathway project forward here.