U.S. 278 widening between Hilton Head and I-95 moves forward. Here's what to know
Jasper County is advancing plans to widen a 4-mile stretch of U.S. 278 to six lanes between the Beaufort County line and John Smith Road. The $80 million project is funded by a 2024 voter-approved penny sales tax, with construction expected to begin in 2033. FULL STORY: Road between Hilton Head and I-95 is widening. What to expect Here are key takeaways: Two options on the table: Alternative 1 widens U.S. 278 to the outside, keeping the 48-foot-wide grassy median. Alternative 2 widens into the existing median, requiring a concrete barrier at intersections and crossovers. Project manager’s view: Jeff Buckalew of Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering said widening to the outside is preferable, “but we’ll see what the public says.” Where things stand: The public comment period has closed, but Jasper County officials said no decisions have been made. They are using public input and other information to determine a preferred alternative that will guide the design work ahead. Timeline and cost: The $80 million project will be built in two phases, with right-of-way acquisition starting in 2029, construction in 2033 and roughly three years to complete. How it’s funded: Voters approved a 1% sales tax in 2024 expected to raise
