IMPORTANT: Route 278 Corridor Update – March 13, 2024 

As mentioned in the last alert, an alternate Corridor option – A (0.7 Mile) Express Bypass Plan has been proposed. 

•        This plan maximizes Route 278 throughput and safety by routing traffic around the 2 congesting traffic signals directly to/from the CIP.

•        In contrast, SCDOT’s plan attempts to barge through Stoney and the traffic signals with huge intersections of questionable efficiency, while completely omitting efficient links to the CIP. 

The Bypass Plan could provide:

•        Up to two express bypass lanes in each direction directly connecting to/from the CIP.

•        One local bypass lane in each direction connecting to Spanish Wells Rd, if desired.

•        A solution to the Squire Pope - HHP east-bound left-turn problem.

•        A tremendous increase in inter-connectivity, providing improved resilience to accidents, forecast errors, and overload.

•        Much less congestion, smog pollution, and fewer accidents at intersections.

•        A far longer lifetime than the current SCDOT alternative, which may run out of capacity very early in its life.

•        No need to modify local 278 east of Squire Pope Road, reducing local land needs.

This Bypass Plan could be built rapidly, mainly on Town-owned land, and has very low Wetlands requirements (beyond the 40 acres of Wetlands that SCDOT already requires.) It could dovetail well with parts of SCDOT’s plan, but provide real congestion relief more rapidly. 

There is too much potential here to ignore, but some feel that the County will attempt to stonewall it again.

The goal is not to force this plan. It is, simply to include it in the Town’s (No Stone Unturned) Independent Study, including broad and transparent Community Review. They will likely be able to come up with even better ideas and designs. 

We are paying $429,000 for this study, and expect it to honestly and transparently leave no stone unturned to find the best solutions to our problems. One of these actions should be to fairly compare the pros and cons of SCDOT’s plan vs the Bypass plan. 

Please send your email address, and I will send you a full copy of the proposed Express Bypass Plan. 

Upcoming Important Meetings (names abbreviated):

Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods (to discuss Corridor Project)  – 3/14/24 - 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Hilton Head Library

Town Independent Gateway Corridor Advisory Committee – 3/27/24, 1 PM, Town Hall