What is the issue?

I-73 is a 79 miles, $2 billion interstate proposed to extend from the North Carolina line in Marlboro County to Horry County incorporating SC 22 terminating in the Myrtle Beach area. I-73 will impact 498 acres of wetlands, 30 acres of 4(F) Heritage Trust Property, communities and land use across its length. Is it necessary no? The Environmental Impact Statement states that it will reduce travel time by 10 to 15 minutes. The political will for this interstate is intense. Horry County politicians are determined to “get started” influencing SCDOT to apply for $300 million in stimulus funds to build an I-73/I-95 interchange and six miles of roadway on either side, dubbed the “Interchange of Hope”.

SCDOT has published the final I-73 Environmental Impact Statement, but they have not applied for federal and state permits and there is no mitigation plan. It is unlikely that this road will be stopped, but it is also unlikely that it will be funded anytime soon and building of this interstate in segments is not allowed under federal law. CCL will review all permits and decide if the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts are adequately addressed and mitigated. If this road is every built it will significantly impact the Pee Dee and Horry County, the land, the environment and the communities along its route. Does the need for this road outweigh the impacts? We don’t think so.

How would it affect South Carolina?

Almost 500 acres of wetlands will be destroyed or impacted by I-73, the largest infrastructure impact in SC to date. But this is just one of the interstate’s direct impacts; there are destroyed homes and farmland , divided communities and water quality degradation. Land use will be changed forever. The interstate will promote opening rural land and timberland, development, particularly adjacent to interchanges, and extended infrastructure. The long term impacts are changing land use that changes land value, raise taxes and further destroys the environment.

What can you do about it?

Once permits are applied for and issued there will be public hearings; the opportunity for you to question the need and viability of this interstate. Talk with your family, friends, community: do we need to spend two billion dollars on this road, what do we really get out of it; what about rail? Come to this web site we will keep you informed on public hearings, time, date and location, talking po

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