These are SC 170’s most dangerous interchanges. How could they be fixed?
The 24-mile stretch of highway between May River Road in Bluffton and Boundary Street in Beaufort has proven to be somewhat dangerous for drivers.
Between 2020 and 2024, there were more than 3,000 crashes along the corridor. On average, that is more than two crashes each day. Thirteen of those accidents were fatal, and 49 ended in drivers being seriously injured. Nine involved pedestrians.
Daily traffic volume is expected to nearly double between 2026 and 2050 along the majority of the corridor, according to a study from the Lowcountry Council of Governments that kicked off this time last year. The study is intended to evaluate opportunities for improvement along the corridor.
A final report is expected this summer. For now, the council is seeking public feedback on the proposal. So what is being suggested for some of the highway’s most dangerous interchanges?
S.C. 46/ May River Road
The traffic circle where S.C. 46 and S.C. 170 come together yielded the most collisions in the four-year period with 209 crashes. The most common crashes at the traffic circle were sideswipes and angle collisions, typically caused by drivers failing to yield or making improper turns, lane changes or lane maneuvers, according to the study.
The proposal calls for eliminating the traffic circle altogether at S.C. 46/ May River Road and instead adding a traffic light. The current roundabout right-turn lanes would be demolished, as highlighted in red.
A pedestrian bridge, outlined in pink, would connect New Riverside Barn Park to a multi-use pathway on the south-bound side of S.C. 170. That pathway, highlighted in blue, extends all the way to Sun City Blvd.
Okatie Center Blvd. N/ Barrel Landing Road
At 185 crashes, the Okatie interchange between S.C. 170 and Barrel Landing Road had the second-highest number of vehicle collisions. Most of the crashes were either rear ends on the westbound side of the highway or angle crashes involving those who failed to yield coming onto the highway from the side streets, the study found.
The proposal appears to call for a “dead end” circle at the tip of Barrel Landing Road, prohibiting entrance onto or exit from S.C. 170.
Instead, vehicles would be forced to approach Commerce Place, where a new light would be installed. Drivers would also have to use Commerce Place to pull back onto S.C. 170 if they stop at the several stores that line the highway. There is a proposed lane and U-turn zone in front of Zip’s Car Wash for those needing to travel back toward Hilton Head and Bluffton.
U.S. 21/ Parris Island Gateway
There were 158 crashes around the intersection of Parris Island Gateway and Robert Smalls Parkway. Most of them involved cars failing to yield on left turns, according to the study.
The proposal would demolish Parris Island Gateway between Hobby Lobby and its intersection point on Robert Smalls Parkway.
Instead of a straight shot, the road will curve to the right starting just north of the turn-off for Old Jericho Road. As vehicles approach Robert Smalls Parkway, there will be two left-turn lanes and one right-turn lane. Those traveling north on Robert Smalls Parkway onto Parris Island Gateway would have to travel all the way to the light instead of veering right at the “Welcome to Beaufort” sign.
S.C. 128/ Savannah Highway
Right down the highway, where Savannah Highway meets Robert Smalls Parkway, there were 156 crashes. The most collisions occurred when vehicles heading west on Savannah Highway toward the light at Robert Smalls Parkway rear-ended other cars.
The proposal calls for adding a ramp and an elevated bridge for vehicles traveling west from Savannah Highway onto Robert Smalls Parkway. And instead of one right-turn merge lane off of Robert Smalls Parkway, there would now be three right-turn lanes at the pre-existing light.
Snake Road/ Callawassie Drive
There were 103 crashes at the interchange where Snake Road and Callawassie Drive meet S.C. 170, most of which involved left turns and failure to yield, according to the study.
The proposal adds two additional left-turn lanes from Callawassie Drive onto S.C. 170. Three lanes would merge back down to two heading toward Beaufort.
Drew Martin contributed to the reporting in this story.
