Hilton Head council approves joint resolution pressing SCDOT to prioritize two‑way access to Pinckney Island; vote 6–1

Mayor Perry convened the March 4 town council meeting and the council voted to approve a revised joint resolution with Beaufort County aimed at aligning project scope and funding for the William Hilton Parkway Gateway Corridor project. Councilman Steve DeSimone moved the changes, which the council approved in a roll call vote, 6–1.

The revised resolution adds a whereas referencing a Feb. 28 letter from South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell and asks that the forthcoming design‑build procurement score proposals that provide a two‑way means of accessing Pinckney Island from the new bridge. It also removes the term "lifeline" from one scope item, requests SCDOT consider lowering the William Hilton Parkway speed limit to 40 miles per hour, and incorporates several staff cleanup edits. The motion explicitly attaches Secretary Powell’s letter as Exhibit B and includes language to set aside a minimum of $5,000,000 in local funds for the Stoney historic community, to be made available upon approval of the project by the Federal Highway Administration.

Town Manager Sean Cohen told council members the SCDOT letter recommends a design‑build procurement and that scoring can be used to reward bidders who propose solutions that provide the desired two‑way access. Senator Tom Davis, joining remotely, said he spoke with Secretary Powell and described the procurement approach as a way to preserve options: "They suggested in the RFP and scoring you could give points to bidders who propose solutions that allow picking the island off those traveling eastbound," he said.

Council debate focused on whether to request that Beaufort County reserve the $5 million or simply allocate it and on technical constraints such as the location of a major waterline. Cohen provided background on estimated costs for utility relocation under Act 36, saying the construction estimate is about $200 million and that 4.5 percent of that — roughly $9 million — is the built‑in utility relocation allowance. The county has set aside an additional $6.5 million, for an approximate utility total of $15.5 million; the Hilton Head Public Service District provided an updated waterline estimate of roughly $15.2 million, staff said. Several council members urged clearer language so local funds would be available promptly once federal approval is granted.

Public testimony on the item included resident Richard Beasley, who criticized earlier concepts that would force eastbound drivers to make a lengthy detour to reach Pinckney Island and urged council members to retain local leverage in negotiations: "How could anyone devise a plan which made drivers heading eastbound have no direct access to Pinckney Island?" he asked.

Councilman Steve DeSimone moved the final language and Councilmember Tammy Becker seconded the motion; the council took a roll‑call vote after the motion was reread with the exhibit and funding language included. The tally was six in favor, one opposed (Becker explained she supported the improved language but remained concerned about long‑term impacts). The mayor said the revised resolution will be returned to Beaufort County for its consideration; staff noted the State Infrastructure Bank requested project scope and funding be returned by March 31 for SIB consideration.

What happens next: the town will forward the amended resolution to Beaufort County and to the State Infrastructure Bank and SCDOT for consideration as the project moves toward design‑build procurement and final funding decisions. Further public meetings and design opportunities will follow federal and state approvals.