The flyover plan for U.S. 278 got me thinking. What is it supposed to solve?

Solutions reported by the newspaper suggest reduced traffic congestion on U.S. 278, decreased travel times on the highway, an alternative hurricane evacuation route, increased safety and more.

I would like to see the data. As proposed, the flyover will connect to Bluffton Parkway, designed with graceful curves and traffic lights to slow traffic. What happens at its terminus at Buckwalter Parkway? U.S. 278 will still be stop-and-go traffic at the 13 or so traffic lights between Interstate 95 and the bridges to Hilton Head Island. (Anybody attempt to leave the island on Saturday?) Let's volunteer our time and vehicles and have Beaufort County and the state simulate a real-time evacuation to I-95 of residents from Sea Pines to Rose Hill.

I believe traffic lights on U.S. 278 will be seen as the greatest impediment to traffic flow, something the flyover plan does not address.

Instead, I propose two-lane overpasses at major intersections along U.S. 278, similar to the one at U.S. 278 and S.C. 170, coupled with feeder frontage roads to connect smaller crossings, such as Moss Creek and shopping center entrances and exits.

The goal would be a true thoroughfare from I-95 to Hilton Head, unimpeded by traffic lights, with interchanges-overpasses feeding traffic from communities and shopping centers. How many overpasses could we build with $31 million? According to a Town of Hilton Head Island planner, this idea has merit. Let's ask the county and state to pursue it.

John Floyd

Hilton Head Island