Proposed Changes to the Gateway to Hilton Head Island
William Hilton Parkway Gateway Corridor Project
Enhancements for a better transportation future
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is proposing to make improvements to the US 278 corridor between Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
- The project includes studying the US 278 Corridor from Moss Creek Drive to Squire Pope Road to increase capacity, which will have secondary improvements to overall mobility, congestion, and safety.
- The eastbound Mackay Creek Bridge, which crosses the Intracoastal Waterway, is structurally deficient and would be replaced. Access to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and the C.C. Haigh, Jr. boat ramp would be improved as well.
Beaufort County, in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), is proposing to make improvements to the US 278 corridor between Bluffton and Hilton Head Island, from Moss Creek Drive to Spanish Wells Road. This would improve the final segment of US 278 between I-95 and the Cross Island Parkway. The purpose of this project is to address structural deficiencies at the existing eastbound MacKay Creek bridge and reduce congestion along US 278 from Moss Creek Drive to Spanish Wells Road.
The eastbound Mackay Creek Bridge will be replaced; it was originally built in 1956 and is scheduled for replacement. Additional studies for potential improvements include:
- Modifications to the remaining three bridges;
- Improved performance at the major intersections;
- Improved access to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge; and
- Improved access to the C.C. Haigh, Jr. boat ramp.
Community involvement and communication will be a primary focus of the project as part of the environmental review process. Potential community mitigation is being developed in cooperation with the neighborhoods, Gullah stakeholders, and the Town of Hilton Head. Based on additional public outreach, exciting ideas have been proposed by the community for mitigation and are currently under evaluation. Once the ideas have been fully vetted, they will be presented to the public for input.
Keeping the Public Involved
The Recommended Preferred Alternative and Environmental Assessment were presented at the Public Hearing July 21, 2021 and online here starting July 7, 2021. The public comment period associated with the public hearing ended on August 22, 2021. The project team is now reviewing all comments and will make responses to each written comment received. View the public hearing materials presented here: https://www.scdot-278corridor.com/public-hearing
