Plans to connect Myrtle Beach to I-95 by building a new segment I-73 are one step closer to becoming a reality.
Thursday, Department of Transportation commissioners heard the results of a month-long public comment period for a $344 million bond package that would help fund the highway, as well as four other projects.
Nearly 900 comments supported the bond plan, and only 204 opposed it, with the vast majority of people specifically mentioning the I-73 plans.
Commissioner Sarah Nuckles pointed out that most of the comments came from Horry county in the last few days for comment, when the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce ran television advertisements urging people to weigh in.
The proposed 5.7 miles of highway would span the gap between I-95 in Dillon county and highway 501 in Aynor, and is expected to bring millions of tourism dollars to Myrtle Beach.
But some, including Nuckles, are concerned that the bonds would cost the entire state and would redirect federal funds that could be used to maintain and resurface other federal roads in the state.
The Environmental Protection Agency has also publically opposed the highway saying it could do irreparable damage to delicate swamps and wildlife.
But Transportation Secretary Robert St. Onge said that the project, which has been in the works for 17 years, took several options into consideration but that the currently preferred corridor would do the least environmental harm and be most affordable. He also said the route could aid in emergency hurricane evacuation, and stressed that Myrtle Beach brings a lot of revenue to state coffers.
“Obviously we are responsible for making priorities and this one has been stressed to me by many, many people as a very, very important project for our state,” St. Onge said.
Now the DOT will create a detailed project recommendation before giving it to the Joint Bond Review Committee, the State Treasurer and the Budge and Control Board for approval of the bond measure. Once funding is secured through the bonds and additional state and federal money the DOT can seek a permit from the U.S. Corp of Engineers.
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