Spanish Moss Trail to be extended into Town of Port Royal

By Mike McCombs

The Island News

In an at-long-last development that falls in the “it’s-about-time” category, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has issued the permit for construction of the long-awaited, fully-funded section of the Spanish Moss Trail to cross from Smilax Avenue over Ribaut Road into the Town of Port Royal.

“It’s a really big deal, I’m beyond thrilled. The Spanish Moss Trail is a jewel for our area,” Rep. Shannon Erickson (R-124) told The Island News by phone Monday. “That we’re adding to it is an especially big deal.”

The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail made the announcement in a news release Monday afternoon, April 17.

“The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail have been working on this project for the past five years,”

Volunteer Executive Director of the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail Dean Moss said in the release. “The importance of our nonprofit’s advocacy work cannot be understated. We have been a liaison for this essential section of the Trail among the multiple sales of the former State Ports Authority property. We are excited for the more than 100,000 people a year who will soon be able to enjoy this highly anticipated extension of the Trail.”

The permit will enable the Trail to follow the alignment of the old railroad with the expansion starting at Smilax Road where the current Trail ends and crossing Ribaut Road with a pedestrian-controlled stop light called a HAWK signal next to Pender Brothers and Martin Landscaping.

“I think this time it went pretty smoothly,” Erickson said. “We’ve cracked this egg before. We’ve already put in a road crossing on S.C. 170, and we’ve answered the questions … can it be done? What does it look like? Can we do it safely?”

The Trail will then continue down the old railroad right-of-way about 1⁄4 mile until it reaches a private driveway coming in from Ritter Circle. From there, the Town of Port Royal and the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail will install appropriate signage to direct Trail users into the Village, the Sands Beach and other Port Royal shopping, dining and recreation attractions.

The construction is being funded by a combination of sources including a State grant arranged by Rep. Erickson, a Beaufort County 3% Accommodation Tax Grant, the Town of Port Royal and significant private donations from the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail.

“I got some funding in the budget last year, then I worked with DOT to get all the parties together to get that hammered out,” Erickson said. “The teamwork was just spectacular. Everybody came in and made this thing happen. I just tried to help keep the situation moving, asking where we’re standing every once in a while.”

According to The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, the Beaufort County Engineering Department will be administering and overseeing the construction contract and bids for this project.

“We expect the County to solicit bids very soon,” Moss said. “The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail will continue our work to advocate and support the County’s efforts to move as quickly as possible and we are hopeful that construction will occur during the summer of 2023.”

What’s next?

There will be two more sections of the Trail in Port Royal. The Town of Port Royal will continue to work closely with the new developers of the former State Ports Authority property to continue the Trail through this waterfront property towards Shellring Ale Works and Fishcamp on 11th Street restaurants. Then, they will concentrate on bringing the Trail to its termination at the Sands Beach.

With more than 100,000 residents and visitors enjoying the Spanish Moss Trail each year, this rails-to-trail greenway is now one of the recreational centerpieces for Beaufort County. With a current 20-mile round trip experience for residents and visitors, the Trail of-