US 278: Let new consultants explore all options without political interference | Opinion
BY DIEDERIK ADVOCAAT AND GRAY SMITH
NOVEMBER 15, 2023 6:00 AM
Editor’s note: This Opinion piece appeard in the Island Packet. The writers represent the Technical Working Group. Five other TWG members signed on to this op-ed.
After three biased studies, at long last the first-ever truly independent study of the U.S. 278 Corridor Project and bridges is underway. The town of Hilton Head is spending more than $400,000 on this study which is expected to take six months to complete. We anticipate that the consultant, the Lochmueller Group, will produce an unbiased, independent examination of all aspects of our traffic congestion issues and provide the town with their best solution to the problems.
Unfortunately, some of those who attended the initial meeting with town staff and Citizens Advisory Committee tried to impose restrictions on the consultant. That is unacceptable and would repeat the county’s previous errors. Mayor Alan Perry informed the independent consultant that “The county has already decided that there will be a 6-lane bridge,” presenting it as a fait accompli rather than fighting for Hilton Head Island to explore every possible option in the best interest of all.
What the mayor incorrectly represented as a “6-lane bridge,” is an 11-lane single slab span that is out of scale and totally unacceptable as the entrance to our Island. Christy Hall, South Carolina’s Secretary of Transportation, has made it crystal clear that the 278 Corridor Project is a Hilton Head project, and that if the residents of Hilton Head do not want it, it will not get done. Translation: We have the final say, not the county or state.
That makes a lot of sense since Hilton Head is the location most affected by this project. We are concerned that the excessive 11-lane “aircraft carrier style bridge” will absorb the bulk of funding needed to solve our congestion problem — while not solving the problem and destroying the beauty of our island entrance.
The mayor and town staff are trying to control this first-ever independent study and repeat a county rubber stamp of what we believe is a defective SCDOT plan. Citizens wanted to speak at that initial meeting but were shut down when the mayor banged his gavel and abruptly ended the meeting. We have insisted that citizens be able to address the committee and consultant at all further meetings.
Our objections are not just about an 11-lane bridge, it is the fact that SCDOT, with help from the county, has ignored the fact that our traffic congestion is mainly caused by the intersections, not the bridges.
This project — the bridges and 278 corridor — is the most consequential project in the town’s history. It will impact the environment and the aesthetics of Hilton Head for decades to come, and affect the lives of every resident.
After three sham “reviews” commissioned by the county council, citizens are clamoring for a truly independent study of our traffic congestion issues and solutions that really work. We need a solution that includes the bridges and all intersection that offers actual congestion improvement. SCDOT and the county have failed to provide this. The threat of loss of state funding is a ruse. It should not be used to defend a defective plan.
It has been four years since the Macay’s Creek span was declared deficient, and nothing has been done to solve the problem because those in charge have been fully engaged in creating a tourist attraction under the guise of a bridge.
It is time to let the consultants do their job. Explore all options without political interference, then tell us the best alternatives for fixing our current traffic mess. Over 10,500 people have signed a petition asking town officials to take a second look at this project. Members of the Technical Working Group will monitor developments and keep the public informed. We encourage all residents to attend 278 Corridor Advisory Committee meetings, open to the public.
Diederik Advocaat and Gray Smith are members of the Technical Working Group, which supports further study of the 278 corridor. It is made up of engineers , financial advisors, government consultants and a U.S. Navy captain experienced in technical planning who have studied corridor issues for more than four years.
