Phase 5B “Zombie” returns. Realignment of Bluffton Parkway is again being considered.

A long-neglected phase of the Bluffton Parkway has become a hot issue in Bluffton over recent months as government entities are once again looking to have the busy roadway realigned.

Bluffton Parkway Phase 5B is meant to connect the parkway that runs across Bluffton to itself. When Bluffton Parkway reaches Buckwalter Parkway, the road splits off, leaving motorists to briefly ride along Buckwalter before returning to Bluffton Parkway about one mile later. The proposed 5B would make it so that Bluffton Parkway is continuous.

The county has said that a completed Bluffton Parkway would serve as a crucial secondary evacuation route for southern Beaufort County. A much-needed alternative to the busy Highway 278. With 5B completed, Bluffton Parkway would extend to Hardeeville and end at Interstate 95.

Documents from the Lowcountry Council of Government, a joint meeting between Beaufort County, its municipalities, and Hardeeville, say that the realignment will cost $50,000,000. The documents also state the project will reduce congestion and improve system reliability.

However, homeowners in planned developments near where the proposed four-lane road would run are not impressed by what 5B could offer.

5B would snake between three neighborhoods. The planned route shows it running between Pinecrest and Rose Hill, then between Shell Hall and Woodbridge.

Opponents of the realignment have likened it to a zombie. No matter how often they voice their displeasure with the idea, it keeps returning. At multiple points in the past two decades, 5B has been a topic of conversation that was usually met with displeasure from residents of the area.

“Bringing this up over and over and over again when currently there is no need for this growth. It’s just beating our head against the wall,” said County Council Member Logan Cunningham at the Lowcountry Council of Government meeting on Feb. 2. “Sometimes I wonder if we underestimate how big and how much these projects that we talked about affect people,” he added.

A change.org petition has over 1,400 signatures. “The proposed road project poses a significant threat to our wetlands and wildlife habitats. It will also exacerbate storm runoff problems in an area already prone to flooding,” the petition reads.

“Despite being touted as a solution for Congestion Reduction and System Reliability, this road will only lead to increased commercial development and traffic congestion. Our town is already grappling with traffic gridlock; adding another commercial artery will only worsen this problem,” it continues

The Beaufort County Council is expected to discuss 5B at their next meeting on March 25.