Legislative eNews

Government Affairs Update from the Hilton Head Island-
Bluffton Chamber of Commerce -- July 26, 2005

Good evening. Below are results of tonight's briefing about the U.S. 278 widening project. The briefing was held at the county library in Bluffton and was conducted by Beaufort County, SCDOT and the project's construction contractor APAC-Southeast Inc.

1. The county, SCDOT, and APAC-Southeast apologized for Tuesday night's four-hour traffic gridlock on U.S. 278 and pledged to not let it happen again. Preventative measures include:

  • An on-site sheriff's liaison will work directly with the contractor.
  • The county's traffic cameras will remain active through 9 p.m., to monitor traffic.
  • No lane closures will occur before 9 p.m., and the flexibility exists to delay closures even longer if the volume of traffic warrants it.
  • County and DOT message boards, along with the county's traffic management radio, will be used more effectively to keep motorists informed.
  • A website will be created for updates and alerts.

2. The 18-month widening project will result in an additional lane in each direction (generally in the median) from the vicinity of the Hilton Head Island bridges to Simmonsville Road and will include:

  • Addition of two feet of paved shoulders on the outside of the east and west lanes.
  • Improved intersections.
  • Removal of six median crossings.

3. Roadwork at the Moss Creek intersection will include:

  • Storm drainage improvements.
  • Extension of turn lanes.

4. The widening of U.S. 278 is not a long-term solution to the roadway's traffic congestion. Other improvements will be needed as funding becomes available, such as:

  • Widening of Burnt Church Road.
  • Widening of S.C. 46.
  • Widening of Simmonsville Road.

5. The much-desired construction of the Bluffton Parkway will soon become reality, as well as the four-laning of Buckwalter Parkway. The county and the Town of Bluffton, in meetings on Monday night and tonight, approved first readings of an intergovernmental agreement that produces sufficient funding to construct the Bluffton Parkway from Simmonsville Road to S.C. 170. The construction start date for the Bluffton Parkway is November 2005; projected completion date is January 2007. Additionally, the county on Monday night approved an admissions fee that will generate $1.7 million a year that will help fund the projects.

6. Also, a feasibility study is underway to extend the Bluffton Parkway eastward beyond Burnt Church Road toward Buckingham Plantation Road for linkage with U.S. 278.

7. The U.S. 278 widening project is occurring during tourist season because:

  • The public wanted it constructed as soon as possible.
  • The project was delayed several times because of design and funding issues.
  • The 18-month project would include at least one tourist season regardless.

8. If a hurricane approaches, the following actions will occur:

  • Within 24 hours of notice, construction will cease and the contractor will be pulled off the job.
  • All traffic lanes will be available for evacuation.

9. The construction work week is Sunday through Thursday, avoiding the heavy Saturday traffic. Lane closures will occur between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. However, the contractor will close out his work on the eastbound lanes by 6 a.m., to allow for the heavy morning traffic.

10. There will be no lane closures during the day.

11. Concerning trees: Pine trees in the medians will be cleared. Meanwhile, at the Moss Creek intersection, an arborist will conduct a preliminary evaluation as part of the decision-making process regarding those trees.

Note: The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
will host an additional U.S. 278 update at a Sept. 23 luncheon, site to be determined.

Thanks,

Tim Bennett
VP for Government Relations
P.O. Box 5647
Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
Office -- (843) 341-8370
Email -- tbennett@hiltonheadisland.org