The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun April 16, 2024 • Volume 27, Issue 8 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
Celebrating The Rich History Of The Heritage
8A
Beaufort County Scraps Plan to Connect 2 Sides of Bluffton Parkway BY AMY COYNE BREDESON Contributor
Bluffton Parkway first opened in 2006 as a way to help the flow of traffic going through Bluffton, as well as on and off Hilton Head Island. There were several phases planned for the project, the next one being Phase 5B, which would connect the two separate portions of the parkway. This phase has been in the planning phase for years, and has sparked much controversy amongst locals and county officials. However, after almost 20 years of studies and discussions, Beaufort County Council has decided there will be no Phase 5B. The parkway currently runs from Mackay Creek, just before the first bridge to Hilton Head, to Buckwalter Parkway at Hampton Hall. Drivers have to take a right on Buck-
walter and continue about a mile before turning left onto the other portion of Bluffton Parkway, just before Buckwalter Place. The plan was to eventually connect the two parts of the parkway at Buck Island Road to further alleviate traffic congestion, and to provide an alternate hurricane evacuation route. “We’re going to remove the county from any use of county funds towards discussion or study of 5B,” County Council Chairman Joe Passiment announced at the March 25 council meeting. Why? Well, a great deal has changed in Bluffton since the original plans were made, and many residents say 5B is no longer needed. Some say it would make traffic worse at this point. Many of the homeowners in planned develop-
PARKWAY CONT. ON PAGE 10A
JOIN US for a program!
Tickets & More: PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org (843) 645-7774 | 310 Okatie Hwy
USCB Students On Live Sports Broadcasting 14A
Locals To Lead Charge In Earth Day Cleanups 12A
Culinary Skills Displayed At Institute’s Open House 6A