US 278 has become the Cross Bronx Expressway

One day soon we’ll reflect on the once-beautiful Bluffton area and ask, “How did we let this happen?” Our anthem can be found in Joni Mitchell’s song “Yellow Taxi”: “They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot.”

As evidence of the future norm, picture this scene from my car on Saturday, July 1. We had guests and planned the sunset cruise from Shelter Cove. We never made it. Next time, I’ll allow two hours.

The multiple points of convergence are a problem most mornings, Saturdays, and anytime there’s an accident. And it will get worse.

Jasper County made tax concessions to superfluous big box stores in an effort to develop Okatie Crossing. Isn’t Sam’s, two Walmarts, three Publix stores, a Kroger and some unknown quantity of pending supermarkets enough?

Beaufort County plans a $4 million office building to attract jobs. We can’t afford to mow the weeds on U.S. 278 or S.C. 170 but people we elected want to create more congestion and become a landlord.

Local businesses advertise (repeatedly) job fairs with positions at all levels that can’t be filled.

Skip the building, put the money toward land on U.S. 278 and let it sit idle.

Add public indifference to the equation. Less than 4,000 people signed the petition against the mini city / Hilton Head National development project. This is a disaster for our community. If you agree with anything I’ve written, Google “Stop the Hilton Head National Project” petition and make yourself heard. It’s not over.

This story was originally published July 22, 2017 at 11:47 AM with the headline "US 278 has become the Cross Bronx Expressway."