CHARLESTON - The proposed new highway bill will give South Carolina more money that could help build Interstate 73, U.S. Rep. Tom Petri said Monday.

But he made no promises.

Petri, R-Wis., chairs the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and came to Charleston at the urging of Rep. Henry Brown, R-Hanahan, who also sits on the panel.

He was met by a busload of business and community leaders and elected officials from the Myrtle Beach area who rode down to show Petri how badly they want the interstate highway connection.

They came in a nearly full Sunway bus bearing a banner saying "I-73 or bust."

"We wanted to show you just how badly we need roads in Horry County," said state Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, who gave Petri a T-shirt, golf balls, taffy and a bag to put them in.

State Sen. Luke Rankin, D-Myrtle Beach, told Petri the busload represents "the No. 1 industry in the state," tourism, and that most are from small businesses that have suffered since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"We really need I-73," Rankin said.

Petri didn't commit to earmarking any extra money for the road, though he said that could happen.

The important thing is that under the current version of the highway bill, South Carolina will have $1.6 billion more over the six-year period than it gets now.

That money would help pay for I-73, which the Department of Transportation says will cost $1 billion to $2 billion.

Petri said after listening to state DOT officials and seeing the busload from Myrtle Beach, he understands the significance of the interstate highway connection.

Myrtle Beach is the nation's largest tourist destination without an interstate highway.

"There's no question there'd be a payoff in terms of your economy," Petri said. "We're eager to work with you and your representatives you send to Congress."

U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint, R-Greenville, also is on the transportation subcommittee. He said I-73 is important to the country, not just for South Carolinians.

"The coast of South Carolina is a national treasure," and people who live in places such as Ohio, Michigan and Canada would use the road, DeMint said.

Petri said the new highway bill still faces hurdles before passage.

His version asks for increased spending, for a total of $375 billion nationwide, and so far there is no agreement on how to fund it.

Another important aspect of the bill for South Carolina, Petri said, is that it guarantees every state will get back at least 95 cents for every dollar of federal gas tax it sends to Washington.

South Carolina currently gets about 88 cents back.

That would be "a double improvement" because South Carolina would get a bigger share of a bigger pot, Petri said.

The current highway funding bill expires Sept. 30, and it's possible a new one will not pass by then, he said. In that case, the existing plan will be extended until the new one is adopted.

Even though Petri didn't promise extra money for I-73, people who came to show their support for the road were encouraged.

"Today was an important event in helping our friends in Washington focus on our infrastructure issues," said Don Leonard, chairman of the state Infrastructure Bank. The bank is helping to pay for Horry County's projects.

Bob Harrell, who represents the 1st Congressional District on the DOT Commission, said he was encouraged that Petri recognizes that I-73 is the state's top-ranking project for new construction.

Edge said he wants to work with Brown to organize a hearing before the full committee so local leaders can make their pitch.