Columbia, S.C. (October 16, 2025) – The South Carolina Department of Transportation and Beaufort County will host a drop-in public information meeting regarding the proposed eastbound bridge replacements along US 278 over Mackay and Skull Creeks in Beaufort County on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Head Island Recreation Center Gym (20 Wilborn Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926) with additional parking available at Hilton Head Island Elementary School.
The proposed project would replace the eastbound bridges over Mackay and Skull Creeks with a single, three-lane bridge, improve access to Pinckney Island, and maintain access to Hog Island and Mariners Cove. The purpose of the project is to eliminate structural and/or operational deficiencies and to provide a new bridge and roadway approaches that meet current SCDOT standards.
The US 278 Eastbound Bridge Replacement is moving forward as a separate project from the US 278 Corridor Improvements project—and it is being designed to fit seamlessly into future corridor upgrades should funding become available.
The eastbound bridge over Mackay Creek is aging. Built in 1956, it has weathered decades of saltwater and storms. While the bridge is still safe for daily use, it takes more time and money to maintain and is nearing the end of its useful life. Replacing it now helps avoid future problems and ensures the bridge continues to support emergency response, deliveries, and storm evacuations—in addition to daily traffic.
SCDOT and Beaufort County representatives will be available at the meeting to discuss the proposed project with members of the community. There will be no formal presentation. All the materials are available now on SCDOT278BridgeReplacement.com for public review and input. The public is encouraged to review and make comments through November 15, 2025.
Comments may be submitted online, by email to info@SCDOT278BridgeReplacement.com, or by mail (Attn. Craig Winn, PE, P.O. Box 191, 955 Park Street, Room 401, Columbia, SC 29202-0191). Comments must be postmarked or submitted electronically by November 15, 2025.
To request an accommodation, or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Ginny Jones at 803-737-1276. A Spanish translator will be available at the meeting. Un traductor de español estará disponible en la reunion.
For more information about proposed SCDOT projects, please visit our public involvement meeting webpage.