Hilton Head officials to refine corridor master plan after county directs $80M to new bridge

Town officials on June 3 said they will refine a corridor master plan and seek a formal council resolution after Beaufort County voted to apply $80 million from a 2018 transportation sales tax referendum toward construction of a new Mackay Creek bridge.

Town Manager Mark Orlando told the Town Council that Beaufort County intends to use the full $80,000,000 as a contribution to an estimated $300,000,000 bridge project and that, as a result, “this decision effectively leaves no funding available for corridor improvements at this time.” The town’s concern centers on the stretch from the Moss Creek signalized intersection through Squire Pope Road and Spanish Wells Road, which town leaders say still needs safety and traffic-flow work.

Town staff presented next steps. "We have a great opportunity in front of us to drive the car and control the destiny for this corridor going forward," said a town staff member who outlined the plan to refresh the corridor master plan, prepare engineering opinions of probable cost, identify logical first-phase improvements (particularly at the Squire Pope intersection) and develop funding strategies that could combine local, county, state and federal sources.

Why it matters: The town says the bridge alone will not address traffic flow and safety issues on Hilton Head Island. Council members repeatedly pressed for clarity about where money pledged in the 2018 referendum would be spent and whether some of that money should be applied to corridor projects on the island rather than solely to the bridge.

Background and next steps Orlando reviewed the 2018 referendum ballot language, which listed $80 million for improvements to the U.S. 278 corridor including repairing or replacing bridge spans and corridor work between Moss Creek Drive and Squire Pope Road. He said Beaufort County’s current plan to apply the full $80 million to the bridge changes the residual funding available for corridor improvements.

Town staff asked council to formally acknowledge priorities and provide a resolution of support to strengthen discussions with Beaufort County, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), the Transportation Infrastructure Bank (TIB) and the Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS). Staff said it will prepare a planning-level estimate of costs and a phased scope so the town can pursue funding opportunities and present a draft resolution in coming weeks.

Council reaction Councilmembers expressed frustration that the county’s decision appeared to narrow the referendum’s original focus and said the town must act to protect island interests. Councilmember Cameron Becker said she was "not pleased nor happy" with the way the matter unfolded but supported moving forward to secure corridor improvements. Councilmember Alfred said that if the TIB approves only the bridge, "we will simply be back to repairing the Mackay Creek bridge by itself. And that will do absolutely nothing for traffic flow and safety." Several councilmembers urged a multi-pronged funding approach and emphasized that cost should not prevent a properly designed solution.

Timing and coordination Town staff said SIB/TIB review of Beaufort County’s revised proposal has not been scheduled publicly; the town is monitoring a 30-day notice window that staff said would close in mid-June. Town staff also reported that state legislators told the town they will not likely advance major funding until the January budget cycle, but staff said it is important to develop a plan and funding strategy this summer and fall so the town can pursue “ready” dollars where possible.

What council asked staff to do Council asked staff to: - Refresh the corridor master plan using the council’s previously adopted guiding principles; prepare a planning-level engineering cost estimate for candidate improvements; and identify an initial phase focused on safety and throughput (Squire Pope intersection was cited as a priority). - Coordinate with SCDOT, Beaufort County, the Lowcountry Area Transportation Study and the legislative delegation. - Draft a resolution reaffirming council priorities for later consideration.

Provenance: The corridor discussion began when Town Manager Mark Orlando opened his report to council (transcript around 00:51:34) and staff’s detailed next steps were presented by Sean (town staff) beginning at 00:57:14. Council debate and requests for direction continue through the meeting.

Ending: Town staff said they will bring a draft resolution and the planning-level cost estimates to council for formal direction in the coming weeks, aiming to show a phased approach and funding options that could be advanced to state and regional partners.