Southern connector not needed for evacuation

By Thomas T. Hye

Re "Connector War Cries," Feb 27 editorial:

The debate about whether to build a Southern Connector between U.S. 17 and U.S. 701 across the Waccamaw River has been based more on emotion than fact. The idea that lives will be lost or that the environment will be ruined are both false premises.

It should be obvious that the exit roads on the Grand Strand, S.C. 31, S.C. 22, U.S. 501 and the planning of Interstates 73 and 74 are more than adequate to handle the evacuations of those who choose to leave and not wait for the last minute.

We on the Waccamaw Neck, from Murrells Inlet south, have been instructed by the governor not to go north, but to go south through Georgetown. Again leaving in a timely manner, there should be no problem for those who use common sense and leave.

With proper and timely planning both the alarmist and the environmentalist arguments would be moot. However, there just might be another reason to build this connector. It would afford all those living on and west of U.S. 701 access to the beach and open up a large rural area for development that just might create a greater traffic problem.

As for the environmentalist, Alligator Alley, also known as Interstate 75 in Florida, which runs east and west through the Everglades, has had very little negative impact on the area. If they can build it in Florida, we can surely build it here.

If Horry County chooses to go forward with this connector and can satisfy the environmentalists and get approval of the voters, then so be it, but to tout this as some noble evacuation route is nonsense.

The writer lives in Murrells Inlet.