This controversial highway may come to Myrtle Beach. What we know about Interstate 73

A highway that was supposed to connect Michigan to Myrtle Beach has been a topic of conversation for almost 50 years and is once again a local issue.

Here are five things we know about Interstate 73 and its immediate future in Horry County.

1. Interstate 73 will costs billions.

Funding and property rights have halted the slow-churning process of highway construction. In total, the South Carolina Department of Transportation estimates the project will cost about $2 billion to complete.

Funding for their first three phases of construction on I-73 South hasn’t been formally identified yet, they said on their website .

2. Construction on the highway hasn’t started yet in Horry County.

According to maps and plans released by the SCDOT, the first phases of both the I-73 South and North routes hasn’t started yet.

The agency said in a statement online that once they finalize the right of way acquisitions for the first phase of the project, they hope to begin. The first approved phase of the construction extends from I-95 to U.S. Route 501.

The other two phases for I-73 South are also still in limbo as they await acquiring the land needed for the project. Phase 2 will extend U.S. 501 to the Marion/Horry County line and Phase 3 will extend that same county line to SC 22.

“SCDOT is currently acquiring right of way for the project – we do not have a construction timeline to share at this point,” spokeswoman Kelly Moore said.

3. There’s a ballot measure related to I-73.

For Horry County voters, there will be a ballot measure related to transportation funding on their ballot this upcoming November. The measure is called Ride 4 . It’s a 1% local sales and use tax , or “transportation tax,” and will be used to complete a list of improvement projects established by the Ride 4 Sales Tax commission for up to 25 years.

The total cost of all the projects they identified is around $6.3 billion.

If approved, it will go into effect on May 1, 2025.

In the referendum, there’s a specific item that talks about I-73.

“Interstate Connector: Provide a local match of up to one half (1/2) of the cost to construct I-73 from SC Hwy 22 to the Horry County line, provided that South Carolina Department of Transportation or related entity has entered into construction contract(s) for the completion of I-73 from Horry County to I-95,” the referendum states.

During Tuesday night’s regular Horry County Council meeting, staff members confirmed to the council that even if the referendum fails, it will not halt SCDOT’s plans for construction of I-73.

4. There are environmental concerns with the new Interstate.

Building I-73 will impact or destroy about 300 hundreds of acres of wetlands and 22 stream crossings near the Little Pee Dee River, according to the Coastal Conservation League.

A national group, American Rivers, named the Little Pee Dee River as one of the nation’s 10 most endangered rivers due to future highway plans.

A report written by the same group and reported in The Sun News said flood water produced by projects such as Interstate 73 could decimate adjacent communities with sewage-tinged runoff and toxic chemicals.

5. Right now the county is debating on changing official maps related to I-73.

An objective that’s wound its way through the County Council will be up for its third reading next month before a final vote.

The purpose of proposed Ordinance 70-2024 is to add Interstate 73 to the current Horry County Official Index Map. By doing so, officials in support of the measure claim it will protect residents and business owners from investing in property that could ultimately be purchased by the state in a few years to construct the highway.

The County also said it didn’t want to see any major subdivisions or developments asking for permits within the planned path for I-73.