Public Information Meeting

Update, October 23, 2025: Since it was originally released on October 16, 2025, this website has been updated to clarify that the proposed new bridge on US 278 Eastbound over Mackay and Skull Creeks would be a single, two-lane bridge, built wide enough to accommodate additional travel lanes in the future.

Meeting Information

A public information meeting was held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton Head Island Recreation Center (20 Wilborn Road, Hilton Head Island). All meeting materials shown at the public information meeting are available for viewing on this webpage.

What can you expect?

Overview of the US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement project and how it differs from the US 278 Corridor Improvements project
Anticipated schedule and next steps
Opportunity for public feedback regarding the possible social, economic, and environmental effects of the project, including historic and cultural resources

We value your input. The official public comment period was open from October 16 - November 15, 2025.

Meeting Handout

Folleto Español

Project Differences: US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement and US 278 Corridor Improvements

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and Beaufort County are proposing to replace the eastbound bridges over Mackay and Skull Creeks with a single, new bridge with two lanes and the potential to restripe to three lanes in the future. While the eastbound Mackay Creek bridge is still safe for daily use, it takes more time and money to maintain and is nearing the end of its useful life.

The US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement project is just one part of a bigger vision. The full US 278 Corridor Improvements project is still a priority, and SCDOT and Beaufort County are continuing to explore funding opportunities. The eastbound bridge replacement is being designed to fit seamlessly into future corridor upgrades should funding become available, including the potential to permanently restripe to three lanes. As an added benefit, the new bridge could be temporarily restriped to allow two lanes in each direction to aid in the future replacement of the westbound bridges or an emergency situation.

The purpose of the US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement is to eliminate structural deficiencies and to provide new bridge and roadway approaches that meet current design standards.

Click the images for a larger view of the information.

Project Differences: Proposed Improvements

Project Differences: Location & Purpose

What’s Happening at Pinckney Island?

The eastbound bridge replacement would improve access to Pinckney Island and the boat landing—just like many of you asked. What changes would you see?

US 278 traffic limited to right-in and right-out access, eliminating left turns while still providing access to both the Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge and the C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing from either direction
New ramp to access C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing and new loop road to access Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge
New local access road would loop under both bridges to provide access to both the C.C. Haigh Jr. Boat Landing and the Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge

Click the image for a larger view of the information.

Improving Access to Pinckney Island

Proposed Improvements

The proposed eastbound bridge would have two travel lanes going toward Hilton Head Island with two full shoulders. Full shoulders give drivers a safe place to pull over and allow emergency responders to reach people faster, and the bridge could be restriped to three lanes in the future to accommodate growth.

Click the image for a larger view of the information.

Proposed Design

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Eastbound Lane Configuration

What’s Next?

If we act now, SCDOT and Beaufort County can meet the original timeline for replacing the eastbound Mackay Creek bridge. After gathering public input, the project team will submit the Categorical Exclusion (CE) document to the Federal Highway Administration. Subject to their approval, construction is anticipated to begin in early 2028 and is expected to last approximately 4 years.

What about the US 278 Corridor Improvements project? SCDOT and Beaufort County continue to explore funding opportunities that could bring the overall corridor improvements project to construction. This US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement would work with future corridor improvements should funding become available.

Click the image for a larger view of the information.

Schedule and Next Steps

Comments

We value your input. Please share your feedback using our comment form below or one of the other methods listed. The official public comment period closed on November 15, 2025.

NOTE: Information provided, including name, address, and email, will be published and is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.