People living in the areas that might be affected by the northern section of Interstate 73 will have their first chance to see proposed routes for the interstate today in Bennettsville.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will unveil several Potential Alternative Corridors for the portion of I-73 that will run from Interstate 95 to near Rockingham, N.C., during a public information meeting from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Bennettsville Middle School Gymnasium, 701 Cheraw St., Bennettsville. The meeting is part of the open process that the SCDOT and FHA are conducting throughout the Environmental Impact Study for I-73.

The South Carolina portion of I-73 will run from the North Carolina border near Bennettsville to the Conway Bypass in Horry County. The project was divided into two parts for the purpose of environmental studies, and a route for the southern section, from I-95 near Latta to Horry County, has been selected. Officials are in the process of making final adjustments to the southern route.

But the environmental impact study for the northern section of the road started later, and officials have been working on potential routes based on the location of the southern route.

“Because we are still very much engaged in the public involvement process of this project, it is very important that the public attend these meetings and let us know what they think about the preliminary routes,” Mitchell Metts, SCDOT program manager for the I-73 project, said.

Public information meetings are conducted for anyone who wishes to view maps showing the Potential Alternative Corridors. Interested members of the public will have an opportunity to speak directly with representatives of the Project Team. Comment cards will be available at the public information meeting, and attendees will be encouraged to provide written comments.

Planners will adjust, and eliminate potential routes based in part on the public comments received during the meetings. For instance, during the selection process for the southern route, several potential routes were eliminated because of the impact they would have on communities, wildlife habitat and cultural sites.

Mapping showing the Potential Alternative Corridors will be available for viewing on http://www.i73insc.com/ after the public information meeting. Additionally, an I-73 Hotline is available. Those who want to make a recorded comment can call (866) 473-4672 toll-free.