$120 Million Grant Reapproved for Hilton Head Bridge Replacement

The South Carolina State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) has reapproved a $120 million grant for the replacement of Hilton Head Island’s eastbound bridge span. The decision follows months of negotiations with Beaufort County over project scope, funding order, and cost responsibility.

The $311.6 million project will replace the eastbound bridges connecting Bluffton to Hilton Head Island, including a new three-lane span over Mackay Creek from the mainland to Jenkins Island. The current bridge was built in 1956 and has exceeded its service life.

Beaufort County scaled back earlier plans for a six-lane bridge and removed corridor enhancements and pedestrian features to reduce overall costs. The revised scope was approved by county officials in March 2025.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2028. Under the intergovernmental agreement, the county must complete the project by December 2031 or repay the $120 million grant.

A previous $950 million county sales tax referendum that included partial funding for the project failed to pass in 2022. The updated agreement clarifies responsibilities for managing cost overruns and sequencing funding sources.