Tybee Island officials want a four lane highway on and off the beach community.

In plans unveiled to the public today, area transportation planners are proposing just two.

It's all part of a $60 million replacement of two bridges and other improvements on US Highway 80.

Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Director Tom Thomson says a two-lane road meets almost all of the island's needs.

"That versus a four-lane divided roadway has a lot less impact, a lot less cost and meets the travel demand between Tybee and Savannah very well -- all but for a few days of the year where you have the peak summer beach going or special events on Tybee," Thomson says.

Thomson says new shoulders could be converted into lanes for peak times and emergencies.

State and local officials are improving the Tybee Road since accidents and high tides routinely shut down island access.

Improvements include pedestrian and bike lanes.

Tags: Tybee Island, GPBnews, orlando montoya, bridge, Tom Thomson, Bike Lane, Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, US Highway 80