I-73 Could Boost Pee Dee and Coastal Region (Myrtle Beach, Marion: 2015, insurance)

[Woodlands]

I-73 seems to have taken another step forward. This highway could be a real boom to the towns of Dillon, Marion, Mullins as it funnels visitors to Myrtle Beach from the upper Mid-West US. These communities may see an increase in not only economy travelers that may be seeking to be close to the Beach without being in the heart of it and the possible construction of retirement communities for those seeking to retire near the cost but not pay the higher prices and insurance premiums. Given its strategic location at the intersection of I-73 and I-95 Dillion stands to be a potential winner. Direct Interstate access should cut down on driving time and make access from these areas to the beach more convenient.


The State | 08/06/2008 | Northern section of I-73 gets key approval (broken link)
http://www.i73.com/images/SC_sm.jpg

[g-man430]

So, when is construction going to start on it? Never.

[Buckeye in SC]

Realistically, even after it all is approved, how long do you think it will take the 90 or so miles of I-73 to be built in SC?? Probably at least 5-10 years, so you're looking at it opening maybe in 2015 if things fall into place (small chance - realistically probably 2020 or beyond). This is one of the main problems w/our governments, the incrediblely slow process of getting things accomplished, it takes 20 years (they've been talking about this for at least a decade now) to get a freaking expressway built in almost all rural land.

[baylovers]

Agreed.... I just saw that the overpass scheduled for Hwy 17 Bypass (Glenn's Bay Rd I think?) is scheduled to START until 2011 and is already $21M over budget.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

Realistically, even after it all is approved, how long do you think it will take the 90 or so miles of I-73 to be built in SC?? Probably at least 5-10 years, so you're looking at it opening maybe in 2015 if things fall into place (small chance - realistically probably 2020 or beyond). This is one of the main problems w/our governments, the incrediblely slow process of getting things accomplished, it takes 20 years (they've been talking about this for at least a decade now) to get a freaking expressway built in almost all rural land.

This is true.. I am sure some of the hold up.. aside from funding is probably various environmental regs which seem to change annually... God forbid if a Red Cockaded Woodpecker or other endagered animal is found nesting in its path in addition to the aquisition of the right of way. I am sure that they will also encounter the occasional "hold out" who will fight the eminant domain of his/her property for use as a highway to the Supreme Court. If it goes....it could make a potentially long process longer . In Northern VA and parts of MD are beginning to experiment with so called "Hot" lanes that are built and I believe controlled by private entities. They are similar to toll lanes with the exception that the price will go up or down depending on the level of congestion. The private sectors invovlement may get them built quicker however; this is in existing Right of Way so they may not have the same aquisition of right of way issues as 73. Additionally, the private sector is looking at profiting off of the congestion which we don't have along 73 or will be season once it is built. If tolls were added most people may opt to avoid them thus pushing congestion into areas and small towns where it is not currently. So hopefully, in the distant future, our kids and grand kids will be able to get to the beach easier

[jlrich]

I think those areas of both Carolinas need the interstate, the entire route is so rural. But, I don't think it will help any of the existing businesses much, only give travelers a faster means of avoiding them. Any new businesses that come along at any interstate exits will be the only ones to benefit.

[Woodlands]

It would be interesting to track what happens in and around the Lumberton area where I believe I-74 intersects with I-95. The last time I was in that area, it was growing though very slowly along I-95 where there were the usual interstate type businesses. With 74 coming through, you wonder if that will increase the growth of that community.. also given its "interstate access" to Wilmington and the NC Coast. Since NC beat SC to the punch, they may certainly benefit first since their interstate will/is be completed first...

[jlrich]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

It would be interesting to track what happens in and around the Lumberton area where I believe I-74 intersects with I-95. The last time I was in that area, it was growing though very slowly along I-95 where there were the usual interstate type businesses. With 74 coming through, you wonder if that will increase the growth of that community.. also given its "interstate access" to Wilmington and the NC Coast. Since NC beat SC to the punch, they may certainly benefit first since their interstate will/is be completed first...

Lumberton probably will be the only town to prosper, maybe Laurinburg too. From there to the coast, actually from Monroe to the coast...with exceptions, the communities are so small they'll lost in it all and be completely bypassed. The proposed interstate areas in S.C. have nothing close as far as towns that could feed off of the interstate. All of those small towns have only a few hundred people. N.C. will definitely benefit a lot more than S.C.