Plans for a bridge that connected Currituck County's mainland and outer banks has been on the drawing board since the 1970s.

In 2008, the bridge was picked up by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority as a possible new toll route and work began on the environmental impact for the area.

It recommended the preferred alternative for the project, which involves construction of the bridge, as well as limited improvements to existing NC 12 and US 158, estimated to cost around $660 million.

[5] In December, 2014, NCDOT included the bridge in its final draft in the 10-year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

[6][2] Project planning and implementation of the Mid-Currituck Bridge was placed on hold in 2013 while NCDOT reviewed state, regional and local transportation improvement funding priorities using the Strategic Mobility Formula.