Interstate 73 in South Carolina
For many years, Interstate 73 has been touted as a high priority for the Grand Strand, the Pee Dee and the state of South Carolina. To those living and working in the region, it makes perfect sense: no area of the state is in more need of interstate access. Yet this comes at a time when the entire state desperately needs funding for road improvements and bridge maintenance. Why I-73 and why now?
The benefits of I-73 are significant and far-reaching. Interstate access, when combined with investments in surrounding infrastructure and workforce development, will create jobs and attract new industry. With the average unemployment rate in Marion, Dillon and Marlboro counties lingering at nearly three times the state and national average, we desperately need an economic lifeline; I-73 is that lifeline.
One industry that will clearly benefit from interstate access is coastal tourism. In recent studies, more than half of all tourists to the Myrtle Beach area identified ‘interstate access’ as their top recommendation when asked what they would change about the destination. This is no surprise. More than ever before, households are supported by two wage-earners working longer hours, leaving little time for travel. As a result, travelers are less willing to drive long distances and sit in traffic. Without interstate access, we may begin to lose visitors to other states such as North Carolina, Virginia and Florida.
I-73 will also save lives. Interstate highways provide some of the safest roadways in our nation. During a hurricane, we need sufficient time to evacuate visitors. Interstate access could shave hours off the trip to and from Myrtle Beach, especially in times of emergency. Safer roadways and enhanced access to other regions will ultimately make for safer, more efficient travel and save lives during a major hurricane.
If I-73 is so important, why haven’t we built it by now? Lack of funds, of course. SCDOT estimates I-73 will cost $2 Billion or more. Both state and federal governments have authorized funding thus far, totaling nearly $100 million, but neither can fund this project to completion. Thankfully, half of the southern route has already been completed (Highway 22, the eventual terminus of I-73, is already build to near-interstate standards).
South Carolina Secretary of Transportation H.B. “Buck” Limehouse Jr. and Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator Bob Lee signed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Southern I-73 Project in November of 2007. Approval of the FEIS, along with the Record of Decision document, allows for the right of way acquisition process to begin. Nevertheless, the funding needed for this project to move forward must come from a variety of sources, including the federal government and perhaps private industry.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved I-73 as part of the Interstate System Construction Toll Pilot Program (ISCTPP). This program authorizes up to three facilities on I-73 to toll for the purpose of financing the construction of the highway. SCDOT demonstrated that financing the construction with tolls is an efficient and economical way to move the project forward, though tolls will only pay for a portion of I-73.
The Federal and State Governments have also expressed their support for the funding of Interstate 73. Because of the importance of this interstate, the United States Congress recently named it a “Highway of National and Regional Significance” and the United States Department of Transportation has awarded it special tolling status to expedite construction of this highway. To quote U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, “we have to build this road”. Also, at the urging of Senator Hugh Leatherman and the Northeastern Strategic Alliance (NESA), the South Carolina Department of Transportation reaffirmed Interstate 73 as a top priority in 2007.
Few projects will have as much impact on the Grand Strand and Pee Dee regional economy as I-73. Interstate access for this area is much needed and long overdue, but it won’t arrive without broad, statewide support. The time is now to invest in South Carolina and make I-73 a reality.
