In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant improvements to traffic conditions along US 278 between Moss Creek and Gumtree, following a thorough analysis of four alternatives. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has directed the Town of Hilton Head Island to proceed with \"Modified Alternative One,\" which includes the addition of a single eastbound left turn lane and a single southbound right turn lane at the intersection of US 278 and Squire Pope.

The evaluation of this modified alternative revealed promising outcomes for traffic flow. According to projections, travel times during the morning peak hour are expected to improve by approximately 60%. Specifically, the anticipated travel time under the modified plan is around 11 minutes, a significant reduction from the projected 26 minutes in a no-build scenario for 2045. Similarly, westbound travel times are expected to decrease from nearly 26 minutes to about 10 minutes, also reflecting a 60% improvement.

Further analysis indicated that southbound travel times along Hilton Parkway, extending from Moss Creek to the Cross Island Parkway at Sea Pine Circle, would see a 30% improvement during morning peak hours. However, officials noted that significant queuing and operational failures at Sea Pine Circle could limit overall travel time reductions in that area.

Overall, the findings suggest that implementing the modified alternative will lead to substantial improvements in travel times compared to the projected no-build scenario for 2045, enhancing the commuting experience for residents and visitors alike.