Beaufort County’s US 278 project gets green light from State Infrastructure Bank
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The South Carolina State Infrastructure Bank unanimously approved the Beaufort County Council’s revised proposal for the U.S. 278 Corridor Project Monday morning — bringing the long-delayed initiative one step closer to construction.
The U.S. 278 corridor is the sole vehicular gateway to Hilton Head Island, and the condition of the existing bridge has become a growing safety and economic concern for residents, businesses and emergency responders alike. The corridor project has faced years of delays due to rising costs and a failed sales tax referendum, forcing local officials to find alternative funding solutions without raising property taxes.
The urgency to act stems from the deteriorating condition of the eastbound bridge constructed in 1956, which inspectors have rated as “poor,” scoring four out of 10. In a Nov. 18 letter, SCDOT Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell warned that the bridge’s condition raises concerns about potential weight restrictions, which could impact emergency vehicles, commercial trucks and school buses.
“What I know is that this bridge was built in 1956 based on the harsh conditions from the saltwater tides,” Chairman John White said at the meeting. “It has served its lifespan.”
The SIB previously denied funding for the project in March, citing concerns about funding sequence conflicts, the absence of a detailed construction timeline and unclear plans for handling cost overruns. The updated — and now approved — plan mirrors the March proposal but introduces key changes intended to cut costs, reduce delays and avoid disrupting a waterline that supplies 20% of the island’s drinking water.
The revised project would replace the aging bridge along a key section of U.S. 278, from the Bluffton Parkway flyover to the Windmill Harbor intersection, according to county documents. The estimated cost is $311.6 million, with funding drawn from a mix of local, state and regional sources. The SIB will contribute $120 million.
The construction timeline is set at 34 months, with a one-year contingency period for potential delays. The target completion date is December 2030, and if the project isn’t completed by then — even with the grace period — the SIB may recover all or part of the funds provided. Any savings will be returned to the SIB.
To protect the county, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has agreed to cover about 30% of any cost overruns beyond the project’s set reserve. Listed is the full cost breakdown for the project:
- Beaufort County 2018 Sales Tax Funds: $80 million
Beaufort County Road Impact Fees: $21 million
SCDOT (LATS) Guideshare Funds: $2 million
SCDOT Interstate/NHS Bridge Funds: $88.6 million
SC Transportation Infrastructure Bank (pending approval): $120 million
At Monday’s meeting, White said state and local officials voiced strong support for the revised proposal. Governor Henry McMaster submitted a letter endorsing the plan, and local House members — including Rep. Jeff Bradley of Beaufort and Jasper counties — expressed their backing as well.
Sen. Tom Davis, a longtime proponent of the project, emphasized the significance of the SIB’s approval while also calling for continued work on the “on-island” portion of the corridor, which remains unresolved.
“This is a big step forward,” Davis said. “But the town council still needs to master plan the on-island piece to provide an aesthetically pleasing gateway to Hilton Head Island, one that results in more efficient traffic flow and minimizes the impact on the native-island communities.”
Davis added that the goal is for the island improvements to proceed concurrently with the bridge project.
Beaufort County Council will meet at 6 p.m. Monday. It is unclear if this development will be discussed.
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM.
