A public information meeting was held on Thursday, September 19, 2019, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island (151 Gumtree Road, Hilton Head Island).
This meeting was conducted in an “open house” format, and there was a video presentation starting approximately every 5 minutes. The purpose of the meeting was to:
Share with the public the proposed roadway improvements;
Provide an opportunity to discuss the proposed US 278 Corridor Improvements project individually with representatives of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT);
Provide an update to the community on the project; and
Gather input from the public or any interested organization.
We value your input and would like to hear from you. Please use the comment form to submit your message about the project. While the official public comment period associated with this virtual public meeting ended on October 25, 2019, we accept comments throughout the project development process.
Virtual Public Information Meeting Overview
Welcome to the US 278 Corridor Improvements Virtual Public Information Meeting. Watch the video below for a project overview and experience the public meeting virtually.
For the best online experience, we recommend you use Google Chrome or Safari browsers. Some functionality may not be available using Internet Explorer.
Meeting Handout
Project Background
The purpose of this project is to address structural deficiencies at the existing eastbound Mackay Creek bridge, to increase capacity, and reduce congestion along US 278 from Moss Creek Drive to Spanish Wells Road.
Watch SCDOT’s NEPA and the Decision-making Process video to learn more about how projects are taken from design to construction, and also through the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process.
Project Purpose
What is the goal of this project?
Project Need/Traffic
What is the congestion like in this corridor — both now and in the future if nothing is done?
NEPA Schedule
When will major milestones occur?
NEPA Process
Where are we in the National Environmental Policy Act process?
Project Study Area
Where is this project and what area is being studied for improvements?
Alternatives Evaluation
Currently, the 17 preliminary alternatives have been reduced to 6 reasonable alternatives plus the no-build option. The following resources inform how these 17 alternatives were evaluated, the resulting reasonable alternatives, and how these alternatives will be further refined to identify the preferred alternative which will be presented at the public hearing in late 2020.
Public involvement is an integral component to this process. It helps the project team identify cultural or historical sites and environmental resources, as well as how these alternatives impact various communities. In fact, feedback received previously helped to generate the preliminary range of alternatives.
Alternatives Evaluation Process Flow Chart
How are the alternatives evaluated?
The Alternative Evaluation process outlines the methodology for evaluating proposed alternatives.
Alternatives Evaluation Criteria Matrix
How did the alternatives compare based on identified criteria?
The Alternatives Evaluation Criteria Matrix outlines in detail the comparison of each alternative. View this PDF to see how each alternative compares.
Preliminary Range of Alternatives
Which alternatives were evaluated?
Reasonable Alternatives
Which alternatives remain after the first round of evaluation?
Incorporating feedback from the community along with known constraints and challenges, the engineering team developed 17 alternatives called the “Preliminary Range of Alternatives” shown on this map. These 17 alternatives were evaluated using the criteria in the Alternatives Evaluation Criteria Matrix to determine the Reasonable Alternatives (shown below).
Potential Lane Configurations
What might the roadway look like?
The potential lane configurations for the improvements to US 278, or typical sections, include the options that are currently being explored. This also includes any potential multi-modal lanes such as bike or pedestrian paths.
Note: To view individual layers and zoom-in, please download files.
After evaluating the preliminary range of alternatives against the first set of criteria identified in the Alternatives Evaluation Criteria Matrix , 6 Reasonable Alternatives remain. Click “view” to see all these alternatives all together. (For a more advanced view or experience, download this file to view layers to toggle on and off each alternative). Or, view the PDFs for each of the alternatives individually below:
Build new eastbound Mackay Creek bridge south of the existing bridge
Recondition and widen existing westbound Mackay Creek bridge
Recondition and possibly widen Skull Creek bridges
Use existing alignment as much as possible
Build a new bridge to the north of existing westbound Mackay Creek bridge
Recondition existing westbound Mackay Creek bridge and convert to eastbound traffic
Use newly constructed bridge for westbound traffic over Mackay Creek
Recondition and possibly widen Skull Creek bridges
Build 2 new eastbound bridges south of the existing alignments, one over Mackay Creek and one over Skull Creek
Recondition and widen westbound Mackay Creek Bridge
Recondition existing Skull Creek Bridges and convert to westbound traffic only
Replace all 4 existing bridges with one new bridge immediately south of the existing alignment
Build a new access to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and CC Haigh Jr. Boat Ramp
Use existing alignment east of the new bridges
Remove existing bridges
Build 2 new eastbound bridges just south of the existing
Recondition westbound bridges and widen in place
Improve access to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and CC Haigh Jr. Boat Ramp
Utilize the existing transmission line easement for US 278 running from Jenkins Island through Spanish Wells Road
Replace all 4 existing bridges with one new bridge just south of the existing US 278 alignment
Build a new access to the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and CC Haigh Jr. Boat Ramp
Utilize the existing transmission line easement running from Jenkins Island through Spanish Wells Road
Remove existing bridges
Community Impacts
Throughout the summer and fall months of 2019, a Community Impact Assessment will be completed in the US 278 Corridor Improvements project study area. The Community Impact Assessment is a process used to analyze the impacts the project could have on nearby communities and their quality of life. The role of the Community Impact Assessment is to ensure the values of the human environment are heard and incorporated throughout the life of the project.
The assessment evaluates several issues of importance for each neighborhood, including neighborhood cohesion, safety, aesthetics, and mobility. To better understand potential impacts, information is being collected from the neighborhoods in the project study area through a variety of ways. In addition to surveys and comments, you may also see project team members locally in your neighborhoods or at stores in the area.
Community Impact Assessment
Community Impact Survey
How would this project potentially affect your community?
We would like to learn more about you and your neighborhood. Please help us understand more about your community by completing the survey above (or print and fill out the PDF below below). Your answers will help us better understand the concerns in your neighborhood and allow us to determine how the project may affect your community.
Highway Noise
Highway Traffic Noise - SCDOT
Communities are often concerned about the potential for increased noise after the completion of a road improvement project. SCDOT requires a noise analysis to be conducted as part of the standard project development process. Watch this video to better understand highway traffic noise and how it is evaluated. To read the SCDOT policy on Highway Traffic and Noise, click here.
Right-of-Way Acquisition
Right-of-Way Acquisition (SCDOT)
SCDOT roadway and bridge improvement projects are planned and developed through an extensive environmental review process, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). During this environmental review process, SCDOT performs environmental and community surveys and evaluates all the potential project alternatives that could be considered to meet the purpose and need of the highway improvements. SCDOT seeks to find the project alternative that strikes the best balance between meeting the needs of the highway and minimizing the impacts to the natural and human environments.
Community impacts, such as right-of-way impacts and property owner relocations, are considered as a part of the NEPA process. The public and potential impacted communities will be engaged throughout the NEPA process to gather input on the proposed project alternatives. Watch the video above to learn more about the Right-of-Way acquisition process. The SCDOT Right-of-Way portal can be found online here.
Stay Involved:
Comment
The official public comment period for this Virtual Public Information Meeting was extended until October 25, 2019. While we accept comments throughout the project development process, official public comment periods are aligned with the project schedule to ensure your timely comment is received during the most critical periods where public input is needed to advance the project.
By commenting below, you will automatically be signed up for project alerts and newsletters.
You can download a comment card that can be 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
Social Media
Follow along with us on social media:
Community Events & Speakers Bureau
We love to be in the community! If you would like our project team to present to your community or neighborhood organization, please send us an email at info@scdot278corridor.com.
NOTE: Information provided, including name and address, will be published and is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Written comments will now be accepted until October 25, 2019.