MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - State transportation officials from North and South Carolina have agreed on where to build the last few miles of Interstate 73 in southern North Carolina.

The highway would run from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. to Myrtle Beach, making for easier travel to one of the biggest destinations of South Carolina's nearly $15 billion tourism industry.

And officials from both states say the road will not only help bring more tourists, it also will fuel economic growth.

The agreement announced by legislators at a summit Friday would have North Carolina build a 3.7-mile link from an existing portion of Interstate 74 south of Rockingham, N.C., to the state line near Wallace.

In return, South Carolina will build about a 5-mile highway from the existing Carolina Bays Parkway along the Grand Strand to link to the planned route of I-74 in North Carolina.

The agreements allow officials to collaborate on consultants to conduct environmental impact studies - the first step in building the interstates.

"Today has been a tremendous success," said Betty Mabry, director of the South Carolina Department of Transportation. "This is a wonderful day because this means both of us can go forward."

North Carolina Secretary of Transportation Lyndo Tippett said the project benefits both states and the Carolinas finally were able to settle the issue "simply because there's been a heightened interest in it."

The agreement will build I-73 about 10 miles east of the original plan, but officials said that will be better for environmental reasons.

"It's a shorter route and there are less wetlands issues with it," said Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Bennettsville.

Some worried the summit could stall after North Carolina transportation officials said they wanted Interstate 20 extended northward from Florence to Wilmington, N.C.

But South Carolina officials told them the project was not workable, turning the conversation to I-73, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Dean said.