News Summary

Beaufort County is seeking a $200 million federal grant to support a proposed six-lane bridge connecting Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. The application deadline is August 1, and while the chances of receiving the funding are low, the county is committed to advancing the project’s timeline. The new bridge aims to improve traffic flow in response to population growth, as current access points are limited to existing four-lane structures. Community concerns have influenced project designs, leading to discussions about safety and functionality.

Hilton Head Island

Beaufort County has initiated a significant financial application process for a $200 million federal Large Bridge Project Grant that could reshape the transportation infrastructure connecting Hilton Head Island to Bluffton. The application is due by August 1 and is part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program.

The funding secured through this grant could support the development of a six-lane bridge, expanding the scope of the currently proposed three-lane bridge. Currently, there are two eastbound and two westbound bridges that provide the sole access points to and from Hilton Head Island. The proposed project would replace all existing bridges with a single six-lane structure, which aims to improve traffic flow and scale with the area’s population growth.

Despite the ambitious proposal, the county estimates the likelihood of receiving the grant at only one in ten. If successful, construction could potentially start in early 2028 with an anticipated completion date of December 2031. However, the current estimates for the existing three-lane bridge replacement stand at approximately $311.6 million, indicating that without the federal grant, funding will need to come from alternative sources.

A significant factor influencing this project involves a previous plan for a six-lane bridge, which faced community concerns and increased complexity, ultimately raising its cost to nearly $500 million. The Mackay Bridge, built in 1956 and later widened in 1984, has been rated “poor” in recent inspections and is approaching the end of its operational lifespan. These factors collectively highlight the urgent need for a new bridge solution.

On July 14, the county council voted in favor of applying for the federal grant while also expressing a commitment to advance the three-lane bridge project regardless of the grant outcome. This decision aims to maintain the construction schedule and uphold existing commitments to the community.

Also critical to this discussion is an intergovernmental agreement with the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB), which implies that if the bridge is not completed by the set deadline, the county is obligated to repay $120 million in funding received from the SIB. As the county moves forward, local residents have expressed their concerns regarding the planned six-lane bridge, highlighting a divided opinion within Hilton Head about the community’s infrastructure needs.

Feedback from community members has significantly impacted the changes proposed for the bridge project, particularly relating to design scale and safety considerations. Senator Tom Davis has suggested simplifying the project by omitting additional features such as pedestrian pathways and expanded corridors, leading to the current focus on a three-lane design.

Hilton Head’s Town Council is involved in the decision-making process regarding the proposed bridge project. The funding from the SIB is part of a broader financial commitment involving various sources, amounting to about $300 million already secured for the project. Moving forward, local officials will continue to focus on improving functionality and safety features to help alleviate traffic congestion resulting from Beaufort County’s growing population.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: Hilton Head Bridge Funding Grant
• Wikipedia: Hilton Head Island
• Island Packet: Town Council Approves Plans for Hwy 278 Corridor
• Google Search: Hilton Head Island bridge project
• WSAV: Highway 278 Corridor Project One Step Closer to Construction
• Google Scholar: Hilton Head bridge project
• Post and Courier: Hilton Head SC Bridge Funding
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hilton Head bridge
• WSAV: Highway 278 Corridor Project Update
• Google News: Hilton Head Island infrastructure

Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD

The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.