Issue Position: Highways

Issue Position

Solve the I-73 issue by extending SC-31 just 10 miles to US 17 in NC and on to I-40. Link it to I-74 in NC when built. We don't need both I-73 and I-74, which NC is already building.

The issue is: Do we want to spend limited highway funds to connect SC-22 forty miles out to I-95 at Latta for $2 billion, or use the funds we have to build and maintain more important roads, at much less cost.

Because the proposed I-73/I-95 interchange is 13 miles north of 327 and 30 miles south of the existing I-74 interchange in NC, the proposed I-73 will not be the preferred route to Columbia or to the North on I-95. It is about 21 miles and 15 minutes longer than my preferred route up 31 and 9, 701 and 410 to NC 74. Others have suggested that Highway 9 be four-laned out to I-95.

Right now, the NC Welcome Centers route traffic to Myrtle Beach down I-95 to I-40. That's 4 lane roads all the way to Little River.

Let's allocate our limited highway funds where they will benefit the majority of our residents, not just some of our summer tourists to the beach, for the benefit of the Myrtle Beach hotel owners.

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