New island path to make biking safer along Palmetto Bay Road

Bicyclists on Hilton Head Island have a pretty easy time finding their way around, with the 50 miles of paved paths, helpful maps and directional signs posted along the way.

But by the time they wander off and end up in front of Tim Neil's restaurant on Palmetto Bay Road, they look more than a little lost.

"They just assume the bike path will go that way," said Neil, owner of the Beach Break Grill, where confused tourists often wander in during the summer asking for directions. Most of them don't know the nearest pathway is somewhat hidden, running parallel behind Arrow Road, providing a link to Crossings Park and Palmetto Bay Marina.

Soon, though, those bikers and other pedestrians will have a much easier time.

Last week, the town started building the latest addition to its pathway system along the northern side of Palmetto Bay Road. The path is an extension of the project finished last year that put new paths and boardwalks on Pope Avenue, giving people an easier way to travel through the island's busiest tourism district.

Town officials have said they've

received more positive comments on the Pope Avenue pathways than any of its other projects.

The work along Palmetto Bay Road will be less complicated because it won't involve building boardwalks or bridges over water and marshes, said Derrick Coaxum, the engineering technician overseeing the project.

The path is also only being built along one side of the street, running from the intersection with Target Road to the intersection with Arrow Road near Crossings Park.

The work, which costs about $514,000, is expected to be wrapped up by the first week of February, Coaxum said.

JS Construction, the same company that handled the Pope project, is building the path.

Few traffic disruptions are expected, Coaxum said. "We're hoping it's going to be painless and pretty quick."

Even after construction is completed, pedestrians still won't have a direct route from Pope Avenue to Palmetto Bay Road. To stay on the path system from Pope Avenue, they'll have to turn right at the Sea Pines Circle, cross the highway at Arrow Road near the Sunoco station, and get in the bike lane on Arrow Road before connecting to the new path on Target Road.

Still, the path will be better for bicyclists trying to navigate Palmetto Bay Road than it is now, said Neil, the restaurant

owner.

"It's real narrow over here," he said. "They could easily get hit by a car or something."