Avon Beach Nourishment (Complete)

Dare County’s contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, completed the beach nourishment project in Avon on Thursday, June 25, 2026, placing approximately 375,000 cubic yards of sand along the beach from just south of Avon Pier to the project’s southern boundary near Greenwood Place. Click here to view the Avon beach nourishment project map.

Buxton Beach Nourishment (Late July 2026)*

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has also announced an updated timeline for the Buxton beach nourishment project, with sand placement now expected to begin the week of July 20, 2026.*

This schedule reflects adjustments to the contractor’s construction timeline as the dredge that will perform the work—the Liberty Island—completes repairs and scheduled maintenance before arriving in Buxton.

With beach nourishment in Avon now complete, the contractor has begun to demobilize equipment there and transition to Buxton. Residents and visitors will begin seeing mobilization activities in Buxton over the coming weeks in preparation for the start of beach nourishment. These activities will primarily consist of staging and stockpiling equipment on private lots located along Cottage Avenue, Cape Court and Old Lighthouse Road.

Great Lakes currently expects the dredge to arrive in Buxton in mid- to late July, at which point sand placement will begin. Approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand will be placed on Buxton’s oceanfront beaches over a period of approximately 95 days, depending on weather and ocean conditions.* Click here to view the Buxton beach nourishment project map.

To sign up to receive email updates on the Buxton beach nourishment project, click here.

*Please note that information regarding the timeline for the project is subject to change due to a variety of factors, including weather and ocean conditions, equipment issues and required maintenance, as well as other unforeseen circumstances. More detailed information for 2026 beach nourishment projects in Dare County will be provided at MoreBeachToLove.com as it becomes available.

Beach nourishment in the Town of Nags Head began on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The project will place sand on the beach from 2919 South Virginia Dare Trail to, and including, 10435 South Old Oregon Inlet Road. 

Click here to view the 2026 Nags Head beach nourishment construction progress map.

Click here to view the latest updates from the Town of Nags Head.

Estimated Start Date: Late Summer 2026
Cost: $8.6 million

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June 15, 2026 Update

Dare County Board Approves Contractor for Buxton Terminal Groin Repair Project

During a special meeting held at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, the Dare County Board of Commissioners took action to advance the Buxton terminal groin repair project by rejecting the lowest bid received ($5.8 million) after determining the bidder could not meet the project's required construction schedule. The board then voted to move forward with the next lowest qualified bidder, SJ Hamill Construction Company, at $8.6 million. County officials noted that funding is available for the project and restarting the bidding process would likely have resulted in similar project costs while also delaying construction.

At its regularly scheduled meeting held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Dare County Board of Commissioners had voted to proceed with the lowest bid received for the project while continuing its due diligence review and reserving the right to revisit the award if any concerns or issues arose during the evaluation process. Following that review, county staff identified concerns regarding the lowest bidder’s ability to meet the project schedule and begin work within the timeframe needed for the repair project. As a result of those findings, the bidder was determined to be non-responsible, giving the board the authority to reject the bid and consider the next lowest qualified bidder rather than restarting the entire bidding process. 

During the special meeting held on Monday, June 15, 2026, commissioners voted to reject the lowest bid and to award the contract to the second lowest bidder, SJ Hamill Construction Company, which has the experience, resources and project history necessary to successfully complete this type of coastal construction.*

SJ Hamill Construction Company is expected to begin mobilization of equipment immediately, with construction anticipated to begin in August. The lowest bidder would not have been able to begin construction until October, significantly delaying the project, which will be performed in conjunction with the upcoming beach nourishment project in Buxton. The Buxton terminal groin repair project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. However, if weather or material lead times create issues with the construction schedule, the contractor must have the project fully completed by June 1, 2027.

The contractor will utilize the same construction methods that were planned under the original bid.

In addition to awarding the contract, the Board of Commissioners authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to approve the related budget amendment necessary for the project.

The Buxton terminal groin repair project is a critical infrastructure investment designed to maintain the structure’s effectiveness in protecting shoreline stability and managing erosion occurring along the oceanfront in Buxton.

*Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard and Commissioner Ervin Bateman attended the special meeting virtually, and while they were present for the discussion, they were not eligible to vote on the matter.

To view a video of the special meeting on Dare County’s YouTube channel, visit YouTube.com/DareCounty. 

August 4, 2025 Update

During the August 4, 2025 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Coastal Science and Engineering (CSE), adopted a related budget amendment and authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to sign the agreement—advancing the Buxton terminal groin repair project as part of the broader 2026 beach nourishment project that is currently being planned for the Village of Buxton. The approved $288,320 contract with CSE covers professional services, including bid preparation, construction oversight and project management for the repair. The budget amendment reallocates $288,320 from the Beach Nourishment Reserve Fund to fund this phase of the project.

The Buxton terminal groin was originally constructed to help stabilize the shoreline and reduce erosion by trapping sand and protecting N.C. Highway 12. Over time, portions of the groin have become buried or damaged due to shifting sands and storm impacts. During the March 3, 2025 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, Outten reported that engineering assessments found at least 50 percent of the groin remains intact, qualifying it for repair under state and federal permitting guidelines. Repairing the groin is considered a critical component of the upcoming nourishment project, as it plays a vital role in maintaining the beach profile and protecting infrastructure from ongoing coastal erosion.

Next, CSE will submit a terminal groin repair permit application to the necessary regulatory agencies for permitting. If approved, the project can then move forward.

Buxton and Avon Beach Grass Planting Contract Awarded – July 2026

During the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the board unanimously approved awarding a $95,000 contract to Coastal Transplants of Bolivia, N.C., for dune vegetation plantings associated with the Buxton and Avon beach nourishment projects. The board also authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to execute the contract.

The dune vegetation plantings are a required permit condition for the beach nourishment projects and will help stabilize the newly constructed dunes by establishing native, salt-tolerant vegetation. Plant species may include American beachgrass, sea oats and bitter panic grass, which help trap windblown sand, reduce erosion and strengthen the dunes over time.

Avon Project

In Avon, Coastal Transplants will install up to 90,000 native plants on the newly nourished dune crest and dune face along approximately 6,000 linear feet of Cape Hatteras National Seashore south of Avon Pier. The plantings will consist of native, salt-tolerant species, including American beachgrass, sea oats and/or bitter panic grass, installed approximately 24 inches apart to promote healthy dune establishment and long-term shoreline stability.

Buxton Project

In Buxton, the project will include installing up to 67,500 native plants on the newly nourished dune crest and dune face—(once beach nourishment in Buxton is completed*) along approximately 4,500 linear feet of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. As in Avon, the vegetation will consist of native, salt-tolerant species such as American beachgrass, sea oats and/or bitter panic grass, planted approximately 24 inches apart to help stabilize the dunes and support their long-term resilience.

For more information about beach nourishment projects in Dare County, visit MoreBeachToLove.com. 

July 14, 2026 Update:

Preparations for the construction of the new pickleball courts located at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head are underway. Crews began to mobilize on July 6, 2026 with sitework starting on July 10, 2026 and construction expected to begin in late July.

During the July 7, 2026 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, county staff reported that all project materials have been ordered, subcontract agreements have been finalized and the project is on track to begin site preparation, including clearing and grading, within the next two weeks.* Staff explained that the construction schedule shifted from the original timeline while the county evaluated the feasibility and cost of adding covered structures to the facility before moving forward.

The project will create a new 10-court pickleball complex at the former Pamlico Jack's property, expanding recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors. Planned improvements include regulation pickleball courts, lighting, fencing, sidewalks, utility extensions and parking area modifications.

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Barnhill Contracting Company in June 2026 to construct the facility after the company submitted the lowest of four bids at $651,110. Earlier this year, the Board of Commissioners also approved an agreement with the Dare County Tourism Board to jointly fund the project, with construction costs shared equally between the two entities, up to a maximum project cost of $1.13 million.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in fall 2026.

*Please note that information regarding the timeline for this project is subject to change. Updates will be provided as additional details become available. 

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June 9, 2026 Update:

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved Barnhill Contracting Company to construct the new pickleball courts at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. Barnhill submitted the lowest of four bids received for the project, with a bid amount of $651,110. The Board of Commissioners also authorized County Manager Bobby Outten to execute the contract, allowing the project to move forward into the construction phase.

The project will add a new pickleball facility featuring 10 regulation pickleball courts and supporting infrastructure designed to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. In addition to the courts themselves, the project includes associated site improvements such as lighting, fencing, sidewalks, utility extensions and parking area modifications. Construction is currently anticipated to begin this summer, to be completed in the fall of 2026.

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February 12, 2026 Update:

The Dare County Board of Commissioners has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dare County Tourism Board to develop a 10-court pickleball facility at the former Pamlico Jacks property in Nags Head.

The Tourism Board owns the site, and construction costs—capped at $1.13 million—will be split evenly between the two entities. Dare County will manage permitting and construction and will operate and maintain the courts once completed, while the Tourism Board will maintain the surrounding property. The agreement establishes an initial 10-year term and outlines shared responsibilities for funding, maintenance and operations.

Early College Update - June 23, 2025
Site work has begun at both the main campus location, as well as north satellite parking area. Once the initial site work is complete, concrete footers will be poured and the vertical walls will begin to be constructed. A groundbreaking ceremony is being scheduled for mid-July. Further information regarding the groundbreaking ceremony will be announced as details become available.

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Early College Update - May 13, 2025
Barnhill Contracting Company submitted the Guaranteed Maximum Price contract in April 2025 and was approved by the Dare County Board of Commissioners during the board’s regularly scheduled May 2025 meeting. The bond sale is scheduled to take place in July 2025. Mobilization of equipment and materials will begin in late June 2025, with sitework for the Early College tentatively scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.

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Early College Update - March 12, 2025 

The Manteo Planning Board approved a Special Use Permit during the board’s March 2024 meeting to allow for an early college to be built on the proposed parcel in Manteo. Sub-contractor bids were opened on March 13, 2025. The next round of bids will be opened on March 21, 2025. Connex storage boxes have been delivered onsite with the approval of College of The Albemarle (COA) and the Town of Manteo. Dare County is tentatively aiming for a GMP to be received and approved during the April 2025 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025. Further updates will be provided once additional information becomes available. 

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Early College Update - December 2, 2024
During the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024, the Dare County Board of Commissioners approved the capital project ordinance for the Dare County Early College and authorized Dare County Manager Bobby Outten to sign the pre-construction contract with Barnhill Contracting Company, which was selected as the construction manager at risk for the project at the board’s November 4, 2024 meeting.

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Early College Update - November 4, 2024
During the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2024, the Dare County Board of Commissioners approved Barnhill Contracting Company for preconstruction and construction services for the Dare County Early College building that will be built on the College of The Albemarle - Dare Campus on Roanoke Island. The Capital Improvements Planning Committee recommended Barnhill after reviewing five proposals for qualifications at their meeting on October 7, 2024.

During the Monday, October 7, 2024 Capital Improvements Planning Committee meeting, the committee voted to recommend the Barnhill Contracting Company as the preferred construction manager at risk firm for the new Dare County Early College project. Proposals were received by Barnhill, Whiting Turner, A.R. Chesson, Sussex and Cooper Tacia. The committee members agreed that each proposal was very well done and provided a considerable amount of good information about each company and the projects they have completed. 

Ultimately, Barnhill was selected because of their past success in Dare County, their proven track record of being able to drive subcontractor participation, and their ability to deliver projects on time and under budget. Barnhill’s scope of services will include aiding in design and constructability, pre-construction services, and managing the overall construction process. 

The new Early College will be located on the same parcel of property where the College of The Albemarle - Dare Campus is located; Barnhill was also selected as the construction manager at risk for the College of The Albemarle project in 2020. The estimated timeline of construction begins in the summer of 2025 and is complete in the winter of 2026.