Hilton Head Highway 278 Project Approved by Town Council

Overview

In a significant move, the Hilton Head Town Council has unanimously approved an expansion project for Highway 278. This decision, passed in a 6-1 vote, paves the way for the expansion to feature a six-lane bridge and includes the addition of pedestrian pathways. The project has been a point of controversy among residents, with the wave of opinions ranging from staunch opposition to fervent approval at the council’s meeting on Friday.

Fierce Opposition and Support

During the six-hour-long council meeting, passionate island residents shared their perspectives on the proposed expansion. Critics of the project labelled it a ‘monster bridge’, contending that the plan had not undergone sufficient consideration. Meanwhile, supporters expressed gratitude saying that the project is poised to ease the commuting time for the island’s workforce and expedite hurricane evacuations.

The Difficulties Leading to Decision

The mayor, Alan Perry, acknowledged the significant difficulties the council endured in steering this project. He stated, “This has been a very difficult situation, very difficult thing to vote on. I’ve lost friends over this, that’s not what it should be about. Every single one of us, yeah, we have our opinions, but we do care about this community.” The project received a dissenting vote only from council member Tamara Becker.

Future Look of Highway 278

The town of Hilton Head has released a video highlighting potential changes to Highway 278. Plans to reshape the existing layout of bridges and roads include the addition of more lanes and pedestrian pathways. This project is a joint venture involving the town, Beaufort County, and the state’s Department of Transportation.

Difficult Journey to Approval

The path to approval has not been easy for the town council, confronted with years of refinements and wavering relationships with the county. A significant aspect of rebuilding that relationship was collaborating with the administrators who stepped in to fill the role vacated by Eric Greenway after his dismissal. Mayor Alan Perry mentioned that the project might not have reached where it is today if it were for the previous administrator.

Responses Among The Residents

The approval of the project by the majority of the council did not resonate well with many of the island’s residents present in the meeting. Some residents suggested the project was designed in favor of tourism, while others believed the plan was simply premature. However, some took the council’s side, emphasizing that the new bridge would be beneficial for the island’s workforce, considering the traffic gridlock they routinely endure. With the wide array of public opinions and intense deliberation from the town council, the meeting eventually lasted around six hours before a decision was made.