Citizen input is being sought in an Access Management Study on a new section of US 278 (Fording Island Road) in Okatie. A public information meeting will be held Tuesday, May 17,  from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Buckwalter Recreation Center, 905 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton.

This will be a drop-in style meeting and will include displays and handouts for viewing as well as the opportunity to discuss specifics of the Corridor Study with the project team.

The portion of highway being studied includes a 3.0-mile section of US 278 beginning at the intersection of Argent Boulevard (S-442) and ending at Okatie Highway (SC 170). The study will develop management strategies to minimize traffic congestion and improve safety and traffic flow.

This section of the US 278 corridor currently carries an average of 31,000 vehicles per day and has experienced significant growth, which has led to increased congestion and safety concerns. The study was initiated in March 2022 and is anticipated to conclude by the fall of 2022.

Residents are encouraged to get more information about the study and make comments on the project wiki map site located at the following URL: https://wikimapping.com/us278camp.html.

This wiki map site offers a place for citizens to leave comments for the project team about specific locations on the corridor. It also includes general project information and answers frequently asked questions.

The project wiki map site will remain live until Thursday, May 26.

Citizens can mail or email comments to Brittanee Fields, Capital Projects Coordinator,
Beaufort County Engineering at 2266 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 or brittanee.fields@bcgov.net.

Comments will be accepted through Thursday, May 26.

For more information, please contact Brittanee Fields, Capital Projects Coordinator at Beaufort County Engineering or brittanee.fields@bcgov.net or 843-255-2700 or Ryan Eckenrode, AECOM, ryan.eckenrode@aecom.com or 864-234-8931.