Fourth of July traffic in Beaufort Co: Complete list of road closures, likely backups
Hilton Head
- July 4, 7-10 a.m.: Expect slowdowns on Nature’s Way, Pembroke Drive and Lafayette Place off U.S. 278 for the Hilton Head Firecracker 5K. Sheriff’s Office deputies will be directing traffic as runners use these roads for the racecourse.
- July 4, evening: Expect heavy traffic across the east end of the island beginning around 6 p.m., from Chaplin Community Park to the Palmetto Dunes area, for fireworks shows and other evening events in the area. Beaufort County deputies advise pedestrians and bicyclists crossing U.S. 278 to use crosswalks or the underpass off Shelter Cove Lane.
Bluffton
- July 1, 3 p.m.: The majority of Bluffton’s Historic District will be closed to vehicle traffic for the town’s Independence Day Celebration, reopening after the fireworks display at 9 p.m. Saturday. Lawrence and Green Streets will close around 11 p.m. Friday night for event setup.
- July 1, all day: The Oyster Factory Dock and Calhoun Street Dock will be closed to pedestrians, but will be open for boaters entering and exiting the May River.
Beaufort/Lady’s Island
- July 4, 7-11 a.m.: The waterfront blocks of Bay Street, the Woods Memorial Bridge and northernmost portion of Meridian Road on Lady’s Island will be closed to vehicle traffic for Beaufort’s second annual 5K Firecracker Run.
Port Royal
- July 4, all day: Sands Beach Road will be closed to vehicle traffic for festivities at Sands Beach. Golf carts are allowed but will not be permitted to leave from 8 p.m. until fireworks are complete and all pedestrians have cleared the road.
- Parking is not permitted on McTeer Bridge or Bell Bridge for fireworks viewing. SC Highway Patrol and Port Royal officers will be patrolling the area in case of violations.
This story was originally published June 30, 2023 at 1:16 PM.
Evan McKenna
The Island Packet