The toll on the Cross Island Parkway along US 278 in Hilton Head, SC, expired due to changes in state law. Following the toll’s expiration, it became crucial to modify the toll plaza to accommodate increased traffic and significantly enhance safety within the corridor. Additionally, the asphalt roadway surrounding the toll plaza had nearly reached the end of its lifecycle and required substantial repairs. The South Carolina Department of Transportation’s $13.25 million Cross Island Parkway project carefully considered the area’s unique environmental factors, protecting landscaped areas and wetlands throughout construction, while also implementing solutions to mitigate future environmental impacts. The SCDOT also made significant upgrades to the Cross Island Parkway as well, including the addition of landscaped biking and walking trails along the southern portion of the parkway. Over four acres of excess asphalt pavement were removed during the renovation, and the roadway was brought up to modern quality standards. These improvements reduced runoff into adjacent marshes and Broad Creek, with grass swales incorporated into the final design to filter out roadway pollutants. Additionally, the elimination of the toll allows vehicles to travel at safer speeds.
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