Widening a major corridor like US Highway 17 is never a simple task, but doing it responsibly means balancing construction progress with the protection of the environment around us. On the Highway 17 improvement project in Hardeeville, South Carolina, that responsibility has led to several unique environmental adaptations, particularly focused on protecting local wildlife that frequent the marshlands adjacent to the roadway.
Why Wildlife Protection Matters on Highway 17
The Highway 17 corridor sits along sensitive coastal marsh environments that support a variety of wildlife. As roadway capacity and operations are improved between the Back River and SC 315, minimizing impacts to these ecosystems has been a top priority. One of the most significant challenges our team encountered was the surprising amount of turtle activity near the construction zone – activity that required fast, creative, and effective environmental solutions.
The Turtle Challenge
During routine monitoring and with input from the traveling public, environmental teams identified turtles entering active work areas and, in some cases, approaching the travel way. While the vulnerable Diamondback Terrapin was the original species of concern, the Yellow Belly Slider has been the primary turtle observed onsite. Both species are common to coastal marshes and are particularly mobile during warmer months.
By mid-March 2026, 23 turtles had been saved due to actions taken by the Reeves Coastal team and the South Carolina Department of Transportation, reinforcing the need for preventative measures to keep wildlife out of harm’s way.
Innovative Turtle Protection Measures
To address the issue, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Environmental Compliance, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and SCDOT District Construction Engineer for District 6, Daniel Burton, collaborated with the project team to design and implement a wildlife-friendly barrier system aimed at guiding turtles away from danger. Some of the key adaptations include:
1. Installation of a 7,000 linear foot “Turtle Fence”
A bright orange synthetic fabric fence (similar in appearance to silt fence but specifically purposed for wildlife exclusion) is being trenched into the construction right-of-way.
- This fence runs parallel to the temporary concrete barrier wall.
- At intentional breaks in the barrier wall, openings are tapered toward the marsh to naturally redirect turtles back to safer habitat areas.
- Maintenance of the fence has been included as part of the ongoing environmental control plan.
2. Expanded Erosion & Environmental Controls
Environmental considerations have had major impacts on project quantities and costs, including:
- Repairing and replacing silt fence at levels well beyond initial estimates—over 1500% increase.
- Adding, monitoring, and maintaining the newly installed Turtle Fence system.
These adjustments highlight how unpredictable and dynamic environmentally sensitive construction zones can be.
3. Continuous Turtle Monitoring
Monthly environmental inspection ride-throughs have become key in observing turtle movement patterns and evaluating the effectiveness of the fencing. It also allows the project team to continue learning about the unique wildlife on this project. Utility locates have been completed, and contractors are coordinating with subcontractors to finalize installation across priority zones.
This active monitoring ensures that, as site conditions change, the project team can respond quickly and responsibly.
Delivering a Safer, Smarter Highway
While wildlife protection efforts may add complexity to the project, they play a crucial role in ensuring that the expansion of Highway 17 is completed safely and sustainably. The road widening can only be done responsibly when paired with strong stewardship of the sensitive marsh ecosystem it crosses.
The adaptations made on this project underscore a broader commitment: building infrastructure that not only supports our communities but also respects the wildlife that shares the landscape.
