Here is what you need to know about Beaufort County evacuation routes

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Here is what we know so far. We will continue to update this as we learn more.

Will I be able to cross an evacuation route?

All evacuation routes will funnel traffic to either I-95 or inland to Augusta and Aiken, Kevin Turner, South Carolina Department of Transportation district 6 engineer, said Friday.

While not every route will have a lane reversal, drivers should expect that they will not be able to turn off routes or cross routes, Turner said.

Will there be lane reversals in Beaufort County?

There will be two lane reversals in Beaufort County, said Kevin Turner, South Carolina Department of Transportation district 6 engineer.

Lane reversals will start where U.S. 21 and U.S. 21 Business intersect and will end at the roundabout at Gardens Corner.

Another lane reversal will start on U.S. 278 at the Cross Island Parkway on Hilton Head Island and will continue until just after the bridges to the mainland, Turner said.

Will bridges in Beaufort County remain open?

Most bridges will remain open if an evacuation order goes into place but one major bridge will not be accessible by the public, Kevin Turner, South Carolina Department of Transportation district 6 engineer, said Friday.

Evacuation routes will move traffic away from the Broad River Bridge once in place, Turner said. He said these routes will keep traffic from using the bridge.

“The intent is that we will not co-mingle the north of the Broad River traffic with the south of the Broad River traffic,” Turner said. “That is to prevent overwhelming traffic on one route.”

Other bridges will remain open, such as the bridge to Hilton Head Island, Turner said.

Swing bridges in the county will be unable to lift up after 25 miles per hour winds start, Turner said. He said this will disrupt river traffic but not vehicle flow.

Turner did say that local authorities have the ability to close a bridge at any time throughout the process.

Will I be able to get back onto Hilton Head Island during lane reversals?

Yes. There will be one southbound lane that remains open following an evacuation order, according to Kevin Turner South Carolina Department of Transportation district 6 engineer.

Lane reversals will start on U.S. 278 at the Cross Island Parkway on Hilton Head Island and continue until just after the bridges on the mainland, Turner said.

The two existing northbound lanes will continue northbound and one southbound lane will be reversed, Turner said. He said one southbound lane will remain open.

Will there be a toll on Cross Island Parkway?

The toll for the Cross Island Parkway on Hilton Head Island will be waived to allow for evacuation, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said during a press conference at 2 p.m. Friday.

The Cross Island Parkway is identified as an evacuation route if one is ordered by SC Gov. Henry McMaster. He said the toll would be waived immediately.

The toll cost of traveling on the parkway is $1.25 for a two-axle vehicle.

When will the evacuation end?

There is no simple answer to this question.

Once started, the evacuation routes will continue until emergency management officials at the state level decide to lift the order, Kevin Turner, South Carolina Department of Transportation district 6 engineer, said.

Turner said SCDOT staff and other emergency personnel will man the evacuation routes until told otherwise or tropical storm winds start.

“At some point it will be lifted or we will make sure that we have all of our forces are out of harms way,” Turner said.

How do I get to my hotel in Columbia after evacuation starts?

Anyone wanting to travel to Columbia can access I-95 or travel inland to I-20, Kevin Turner, South Carolina Department of Transportation district 6 engineer, said Friday.

Where will the evacuation routes from Beaufort County funnel me?

If Beaufort County evacuates all of the routes will take you to I-95 or directly inland, Kevin Turner, South Carolina Department of Transportation district 6 engineer, said Friday.

The inland routes will end near Augusta for South of the Broad River residents and either Augusta or Aiken for North of the Broad River residents.

The inland routes will all connect to I-20.

Where can I get more information about lane reversal?

For more information on the evacuation routes, visit the SC Department of Transportation website, where maps can be printed and a phone application can be downloaded.

To see our local map, click here.

Anyone needing help navigating the evacuation routes can contact SCDOT customer service center at 1-855-467-2368.

Where can I ask another question not answered here?

To ask a storm-related question or to find out the answers to questions that have already been asked, please click here.

 

This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Here is what you need to know about Beaufort County evacuation routes."