Project Information
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. 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. Built in 1956, the eastbound Mackay Creek bridge has reached the end of its useful life.
In September 2024, the re-evaluation of the Environmental Assessment for the US 278 Corridor Improvements project was signed by the Federal Highway Administration. The re-evaluation covers the changes to the preferred alternative from July 2021 through 2024.
The proposed project, now called the selected alternative, includes:
Replacement of all 4 bridges along US 278 between Bluffton and Hilton Head Island with a single, new 6-lane bridge immediately south of the existing bridges which includes:
A reduced inside shoulder from 10’ to 6’
Improved access to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and the C.C. Haigh, Jr. Boat Landing and relocation of the boat ramp to the north side of US 278
Addition of 1 travel lane in each direction throughout the corridor
Of the 6 total lanes along US 278 between the Crazy Crab and Spanish Wells Road, the inner 4 lanes would be reduced to 11 feet to create a traffic calming effect within the Stoney Community
Several interchange improvements to enhance the flow of vehicles
Removing the Jenkins Road intersection with US 278; traffic would be rerouted to C. Heinrichs Circle
Retaining the single right turn from Squire Pope onto US 278 toward Bluffton and the single left turn from US 278 onto Squire Pope
Retaining the existing left turn from US 278 onto Wild Horse Road
Providing dual left turns from Spanish Wells Road onto US 278 toward Bluffton
The intersection with Old Wild Horse Road would stay as it is currently
There were a few other potential items outlined in the NEPA re-evaluation that could be included with local support and funding such as a scenic look-out point along the multi-use path over each creek and a meander of the westbound lanes of US 278 on Jenkins Island to create a parkway affect.
Get Involved
Community involvement and communication have been an integral part of this project. To date, the project team has held three public information meetings and a public hearing. Click here to review those materials and learn more.
The full US 278 Corridor Improvements Project is still a priority, but it’s currently on hold because of a funding gap. The US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement is moving forward now as a separate project—and it is being designed to fit seamlessly into future corridor upgrades should funding become available. To learn more about this project and get involved, visit the US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement Site here. A public information meeting is anticipated for that project in late fall 2025.
Submit a Comment
We value your input and would like to hear from you. Please use this form to submit a comment about the project.
While we accept comments throughout the project development process, the formal comment period for the public information meeting held on March 3, 2022 ended March 26, 2022.
If you have questions or need assistance, please use the contact form.
Comments can also be emailed to info@scdot278corridor.com, or mailed to:
Craig Winn, PE, SCDOT Program Manager
c/o South Carolina Department of Transportation
Lowcountry Regional Production Group
955 Park Street, Room 401
Columbia, SC 29202-0191
NOTE: Information provided, including name, address, and email, will be published and is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.