7 years, 1 penny tax, few projects built. Voters may pay again
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Beaufort County Traffic
As Beaufort county’s population has grown in recent years, bringing more vehicles to the roads, the diverse mix of drivers are contributing to the increase in traffic volume at intersections.
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Beaufort County voters may be asked to approve another penny sales tax in November 2026 — despite the fact that nearly seven years after the last tax passed, just a fraction of the promised road and traffic projects are finished.
Frustration over stalled or slow-moving projects led voters to reject a 2024 attempt to renew the tax. Now, Beaufort County Council is considering putting it back on the ballot, but without real progress and better communication, it could fail again.
“We should absolutely not have another penny sales tax,” Steven Baer, a retired Beaufort County Council member, said. He later added, “The population of Beaufort County would be absolutely crazy to vote for another tax managed in the same way by the same group.”
How many projects are complete?
Only 3.5 of the 34 projects funded by the 2018 referendum — roughly 10% — have been completed, according to county engineering documents. Of the projects, one is under construction, two are in procurement, 2.5 are in right-of-way acquisition, 14 are in design, four are on hold and the rest are not yet in development. The U.S. 278 Corridor project is with the State Infrastructure Bank for review.
The number of completed projects has not changed since The Island Packet reviewed the list last August, although at least some of the projects have moved stages.
On June 9, county council voted to allow Administrator Michael Moore to take the necessary steps to potentially place a new penny sales tax on the 2026 ballot. All council members except Tom Reitz supported the measure.
The referendum includes three categories: US 278 corridor traffic improvements with one project, Lady’s Island corridor traffic improvements with nine projects and sidewalks and multi-use pathways with 24 projects involving 31 roads.
What’s the delay?
Among the most delayed are the Lady’s Island corridor projects. Just two of the nine have been completed, and more than half are either on hold or still in the design phase.
County officials have pointed to several reasons for the slow progress, including their “pay-as-you-go” funding model. Unlike bonded funding — which would allow projects to begin, including the design aspect, before all tax revenue is collected — the county has waited to begin each phase until enough money has been raised. This significantly slowed timelines, county spokesperson Hannah Nichols wrote in an email.
Other issues include inflation, supply chain delays and labor shortages — especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, Nichols wrote. Construction costs rose nearly 69% between 2020 and 2023, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Despite cost increases, Nichols wrote no funds have been diverted from any original project to cover overruns elsewhere, including the U.S. 278 Corridor project, which remains the county council’s top transportation priority.
By 2026, seven more road projects should be completed or nearing completion — bringing the total to about 33%.
The county has not yet set a date for a public workshop to discuss the projects.
Here is the list of the traffic projects being worked on:
U.S. 278 Corridor Project
Description: Bridge replacement and corridor improvements from the Bluffton Parkway flyover to the Windmill Harbor intersection, including access upgrades to Pinckney Island and Hog Island.
Cost: $311,600,000
Status: Planning & Pre-Funding
Design Start: Mid–Late 2026 (after NEPA documentation approval)
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Mid–Late 2026 to 2027 (along with permitting and utility coordination)
Construction: Early 2028 – December 31, 2031 (34-month construction timeline with 1-year contingency)
Lady’s Island Corridor
Airport Frontage Road: Phase 1
Description: New access road from Lost Island Road to Sea Island Parkway
Cost: $3,061,150
Status: Completed
Design Start: Summer 2020
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Completed
Construction: December 2022 – July 2024
SC 802 Right-Turn Lane
Description: New right-turn lane at Sam’s Point Road and Sea Island Parkway
Cost: $789,949 (1999 Impact Fees)
Status: Completed
Design Start: July 2018
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Completed
Construction: January 2021 – June 2021
Lady’s Island Middle School Access Road
Description: New road from Sea Island Parkway/Gay Drive to Robin Drive/Katy Circle; closes Cougar Drive
Cost: $7,200,000
Status: In Design (80%)
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Third Quarter 2024
Construction: Second Quarter 2025 – Third Quarter 2026
Airport Frontage Road: Phase 2
Description: Realignment of Little Creek Road to Lost Island Road
Cost: $2,000,000
Status: In Design (90%)
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Fourth Quarter 2024
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2025 – Fourth Quarter 2026
Hazel Farm Road/Gay Drive
Description: Streetscaping
Cost: $10,200,000
Status: In Design (65%)
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2025
Construction: Second Quarter 2026 – Third Quarter 2027
Sunset Boulevard/Miller Drive West
Description: Streetscaping
Cost: $8,100,000
Status: In Design (65%)
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Second Quarter 2025
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2026 – First Quarter 2028
Sea Island Parkway/Lady’s Island Drive/Sam’s Point Road
Description: Streetscaping, capacity, and access management
Cost: $44,000,000
Status: In Design (60%)
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: On Hold
Construction: On Hold
Beaufort High School Realignment
Description: New access to Beaufort High School
Cost: $8,000,000 ($190,603.45 expended)
Status: On Hold
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition & Construction: N/A
Mayfair Court
Description: Improve and extend road to William Street
Cost: $800,000 ($1,847.75 expended)
Status: On Hold
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition & Construction: N/A
Meadowbrook Drive
Description: New road from Dow Road to Tidewatch Professional Complex
Cost: $1,000,000 ($114,835.93 expended)
Status: On Hold
Design Start: March 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition & Construction: N/A
Sidewalks/Multi-use pathways
Ribaut Road
Description: 5′ sidewalk from Lenora Drive to Rahn Lane
Cost: $405,800
Status: Complete
Design Start: April 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Second Quarter 2021
Construction: February 2023 – July 2023
Bluffton Parkway
Description: 8′ sidewalk to SC 46 roundabout
Cost: $383,000
Status: Complete
Design Start: April 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2021
Construction: October 2023 – December 2023
Laurel Bay Road
Description: 10′ multi-use path from Laurel Bay Housing to US 21
Cost: $4,900,000 (SCDVA Grant: $3,392,328)
Status: In Construction
Design Start: December 2022
Construction: February 2024 – First Quarter 2025
Alljoy Road
Description: 6′ sidewalk from Burnt Church to Thomas Lawton Drive
Cost: $2,600,000 (TAP: $1,177,868.71)
Status: Design (100%)
Design Start: April 2021
Construction: Second Quarter 2025 – Fourth Quarter 2025
Depot Road
Description: 10′ path from Spanish Moss Trail to Ribaut Road
Cost: $650,000 (CDBG: $200,000)
Status: Right-of-Way Acquisition
Design: 100%
Construction: Second Quarter 2025 – Fourth Quarter 2025
Stuart Point Road
Description: 8′ path from Delaney Circle to US 21
Cost: $2,700,000 (CDBG: $200,000)
Status: Right-of-Way Acquisition
Design Start: April 2021
Construction: TBD
Big Estate Road
Description: 8′ sidewalk from US 17 to Big Estate Circle
Cost: $3,000,000
Status: In Design (65%)
Design Start: December 2022
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2025
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2025 – Fourth Quarter 2026
Broad River Boulevard/Riley Road
Description: 5′ sidewalk (~2,100 feet)
Cost: $1,200,000
Status: In Design (40%)
Design Start: February 2023
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Third Quarter 2025
Construction: Second Quarter 2026 – First Quarter 2027
Broad River Drive
Description: 5′ sidewalk from Shell Point Road to Parris Island Gateway
Cost: $2,900,000
Status: In Design (55%)
Design Start: May 2023
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Second Quarter 2025
Construction: Third Quarter 2026 – Fourth Quarter 2027
Burton Hill Road
Description: 10′ path from Old Salem Road to Broad River Boulevard + crosswalk
Cost: $2,900,000
Status: In Design (30%)
Design Start: February 2023
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Third Quarter 2025
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2026 – First Quarter 2028
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Description: 5′ sidewalk + 10′ boardwalk from Sea Island Parkway to Jonathan Francis Road
Cost: $2,300,000
Status: In Design (70%)
Design Start: February 2022
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2025 (Requested)
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2025 – First Quarter 2027
Meridian Road
Description: 10′ path from Lady’s Island Drive to Sea Island Parkway
Cost: $3,600,000
Status: In Design (35%)
Design Start: October 2022
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Fourth Quarter 2024
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2025 – First Quarter 2027
Middle Road
Description: 8′ sidewalk from Walnut Hill Street to Sam’s Point Road
Cost: $2,600,000
Status: In Design (70%)
Design Start: April 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2025 (Requested)
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2025 – Fourth Quarter 2026
Old Salem Road
Description: 10′ path from Burton Hill Pathway to Salem Road Pathway
Cost: $1,400,000
Status: In Design (30%)
Design Start: February 2022
Right-of-Way Acquisition: Third Quarter 2025
Construction: Fourth Quarter 2026 – First Quarter 2028
Salem Road
Description: 8′ sidewalk from Robert Smalls Parkway to Old Salem Road
Cost: $2,300,000
Status: In Design (65%)
Design Start: May 2021
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2025
Construction: First Quarter 2026 – First Quarter 2027
Shad Avenue
Description: 5′ sidewalk / 10′ path from Alljoy Road to Ulmer Road
Cost: $1,600,000
Status: In Design (20%)
Design Start: April 2023
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2026
Construction: First Quarter 2027 – First Quarter 2028
Ulmer Road
Description: 10′ path from Shad Avenue to Burnt Church Road
Cost: $1,600,000
Status: In Design (20%)
Design Start: April 2023
Right-of-Way Acquisition: First Quarter 2026
Construction: First Quarter 2027 – First Quarter 2028
Burnt Church Road
Description: 10′ pathway from Bridge Street/Alljoy Road to Bluffton Parkway
Cost: $5,103.40
Status: Removed from Program
Design / Construction: N/A
This story was originally published June 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
