Ongoing construction at Laurel Bay Road to improve traffic flow in Beaufort County.
Traffic congestion is on the rise in Beaufort County due to ongoing construction work on Laurel Bay Road at Highway 21, which will remain closed until late 2025. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect minor delays as crews work Monday through Saturday. Additionally, recent events involving the tragic deaths of two local men highlight the community’s pressing social issues amidst this construction activity. County leaders are advocating for a new 1% sales tax to fund more traffic improvements as population growth continues to impact local roadways.
Beaufort is buzzing with activity, and those on the roads might want to pay extra attention! The ongoing construction work along Laurel Bay Road at Highway 21 is certainly turning heads and causing a few traffic jams. This stretch of road is set to remain closed all the way until the end of 2025, so it’s best to plan your routes ahead of time!
If you’re planning to travel through this area, be aware that construction crews will be busy from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. During these hours, motorists can expect minor traffic delays—so perhaps consider carpooling or finding alternate routes. Additionally, be sure to stay alert and watch out for traffic control teams who are working hard to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. As a heads-up, the ramp from Highway 21 to Laurel Bay Road has been permanently closed, which is another reason to plan that route change ahead of time!
Speaking of busy roads, it appears the ever-growing population in Beaufort County is also contributing to rising traffic volumes, putting extra pressure on our local intersections. To tackle these increasing challenges, county leaders are urging voters to approve a new 1% sales tax specifically for traffic improvements. This move comes on the heels of the previous tax, which only saw a mere 10% of planned projects completed.
The 2018 tax had a significant impact, collecting around $146 million through July 2024 for traffic improvements. Despite the funds gathered from voters, out of the 34 projects included in the referendum, a scant 3.5 projects have been finished. The initiatives from this tax included upgrades to the US 278 corridor, improvements to Lady’s Island, and the creation of multi-use pathways.
Diving into specifics, the US 278 corridor project is addressing issues with the MacKay Creek Bridge and aims to relieve congestion for many drivers. Proposed changes include modifications to existing bridges and enhanced accessibility to local wildlife refuges and boat ramps. Exciting news, right?
Earlier in 2017, around $30 million was dedicated to nine projects along the US21/SC802 corridor. However, budget revisions are common, and many projects’ costs have ballooned, particularly for sidewalks and multi-use paths. As construction continues, some design projects are anticipated to wrap up between mid-2026 and early 2028—phew, it seems we have a long road ahead!
On that note, local pathways are also in the spotlight! Budgets have expanded considerably for 14 prioritized pathways initiated back in May 2019. The ongoing improvements are essential steps toward effectively managing the increased vehicle volume due to Beaufort County’s growth.
Traffic improvements and construction might cause a bit of disruption for now, but these measures aim for a more seamless driving experience in the future. With plenty of updates and adjustments coming our way, staying informed will make a world of difference for your daily commutes. Drive safe and stay tuned!
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