The Public Facilities Committee voted unanimously to narrow the scope of the $290 million 278 Bridge project to move forward and address a critical need for the County and the Island of Hilton Head. The new scope for the project would be from Moss Creek through Windmill Harbor and remains the most financially and environmentally feasible.

"I think if you look at the potential cost overruns we are looking at, we are in a situation of high inflation, and if we were to delay the project 6 to 9 months, we are exposing ourselves to a $50 million cost increase," said Council Member Stu Rodman Chairman of the Public Facilities Community. "Stoney Community could benefit from an overall independent review; that way, one would not hold up the other."

"I encourage the town to do the study to make the Stoney Community better," said Council Member Larry McElynn. "This Council agrees the one bridge is the best option to connect to 278 right before the Stoney gateway. This will ensure the least environmental impact on the area."

The full council will take up the resolution at the September 12 County Council meeting.

The US 278 Bridges were built in the following years; 1982 for the two structures over Skull Creek, 1983 for the Westbound lane over MacKay Creek, and 1956 for the one Eastbound lane over MacKay Creek. They are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete and must be replaced. They are only rated for a category 3 hurricane and do not meet any current earthquake guidelines. The proposed 6-lane bridge will be rated for Category 5 hurricanes and can withstand minor earthquakes.

State Law supports this action stating municipal consent is not needed when "work performed or to be performed on a bridge and its approaches, certified by the Department as functionally obsolete or structurally deficient, to remove, replace, or improve such bridge and its approaches shall not require prior consent and approval of a municipal authority if the bridge crosses the Intracoastal waterway.

Beaufort County has been working on an agreement for Municipal Consent with the Town of Hilton Head since 2018. South Carolina Department of Transportation and Beaufort County have worked for 5 years, presenting 17 alternatives. After public feedback, it was settled on Alternative 4A one bridge, 6 lanes are the most financially and environmentally feasible.

The County Council has also voted to support 21 of the 26 recommendations from the study commissioned by Hilton Head. 

This past Tuesday, the town approved a memo of understanding that would offer a new independent study and delay a project start date by close to a year. The town of Hilton Head studies would look at more alternatives to the bridge projects, including a second bridge run from the current span over the water to the south end of the island.

A year delay could negatively impact the county taxpayers due to SCDOT's four massive infrastructure projects being brought forward quicker than anticipated because of the Federal Infrastructure Bill, causing a high demand for labor and contractors.

The four projects include I-95 Widening from GA/SC through Exit 33, the finishing of I-26 widening from Columbia to Charleston, the new Interstate from 1-95 to Myrtle Beach, and the new Route 17 Bridge from SC to GA/Savannah.

Funding Breakdown: 

Beaufort County’s one-cent sales tax: $80 million.
Beaufort County road impact fees: $12.3 million.
Beaufort County general obligation bonds for the Jenkins Island road project: $7 million.
(The county had secured $7.18 million for the Jenkins Island project as of August 2019 and needed an additional $2.4 million in road impact fees to fund the project,
Town of Hilton Head Island right-of-way dedication: $3.35 million.
Federal Guideshare funds: $4.2 million.
SCDOT bridge replacement funds: $65.5 million.
State Infrastructure Bank grant: $120 million.