The narrowed list of potential routes were for the southern stretch of Interstate 73 from I-95 to the Grand Strand.
"These preferred routes won't be set in stone," said Mitchell Metts, the SCDOT project manager for I-73. "We'll have more public input meetings, and the preferred route could change based on what comes out of those meetings."
One thing seems certain from the routes unveiled Thursday - I-73 will use the S.C. 22 (Conway Bypass) as part of its route. Though it's not set in stone, as Metts said, it makes sense to use it.
"S.C. 22 was constructed close to interstate standards," Metts said. "It will tie in with 22, and some work, primarily shoulder work, will have to be done on 22."
Southern routes have been narrowed down to two possibilities, both beginning at I-95 near Latta and running south to the Conway Bypass.
Metts said several potential routes were eliminated by comments made at public meetings.
For example, the S.C. 319 alignment from Aynor to S.C. 22 was eliminated from consideration because of potential community impact to the town. Another alignment was modified in the Cool Springs area because of public input.
Other adjustments to potential routes were made to minimize community impacts in the Temperance Hill, Ketchuptown, Zion and Floydale areas of Horry County.
One of the two routes being considered focuses on using U.S. 501 for a large part of the I-73 project.
NESA, an alliance of legislators from 10 counties that advocates economic development projects in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand, has pushed the I-73 project forward during recent years, getting it established as the state's infrastructure priority.
"We're moving closer to telling people where this road is going to fall on the map," said Rep. Doug Jennings of Bennettsville.
Jennings also outlined legislation he introduced Thursday to use toll booths on I-73 once it is built to pay for construction.
The NESA delegation unanimously endorsed tolls, but there was disagreement about how long tolling should be in place.
Some legislators wanted to see the booths open only for as long as it takes to pay off bonds issued for the project. Others want to see tolls collected past that point to pay for maintenance.
The bill introduced Thursday would allow for toll booths only to pay for the construction of I-73. Jennings said passage of the bill would go a long way toward getting support from Congress for the project.
"We believe this is the most logical way to pay for the project," Jennings said. "It sends a message to Washington that South Carolina is serious about building I-73, and that we're willing to step up to the plate."
Sen. Hugh Leatherman said he expects passage of tolling legislation in short order. He reiterated Jennings' comments about the importance of setting up toll booths.
"It ain't going to be built without tolls," Leatherman said.
Any thoughts that South Carolina residents might not have to pay tolls on I-73 were put to rest during the meeting. Some had suggested that toll booths be used only to collect money from drivers coming into South Carolina.
"You can't say 'South Carolina, you're going to be able to drive it for free,'" Jennings said. "That's a constitutional issue with interstate commerce."
But Jennings said legislation could be created to allow South Carolina residents a deduction from state taxes at the end of the year for money they paid in tolls.