We're not sure if it was all the doing of the group that went to Washington late last month to lobby for funding to build Interstate 73, but the past few days have brought good news about the highway on several fronts.

On Thursday, the S.C. House included $1 million in the state budget for the interstate. That budget still must be approved by the Senate and then signed by the governor.

Then on Friday, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said the House's action made him confident that he can secure another $2 million in federal funds.

U.S. Rep. Henry Brown already had secured $5.5 million in federal funds.

Interstate 73 would pass through six states, beginning in Detroit and ending in Myrtle Beach. Surely there is no other area in the nation as in need of interstate access as the Grand Strand, and we salute those who went on the road rally and others working for funding for effectively making that point.

Leaders in Congress are showing that they can fight for federal funds if they can prove there is strong local and state support for the route.

That's now the challenge facing the I-73 supporters who presented their case in Washington last month, and it will take more than showing how much the area wants and needs the highway. Leaders say a gas tax increase, tolls or other measures may be necessary to come up with enough funding. The estimate for building South Carolina's portion of the road, about 80 miles, is $2 billion.

We have no doubt that Grand Strand leaders and residents will do their part. Without that resolve, we wouldn't have the new highways that have been built in the area in the past 10 years.

It's encouraging that leaders from other parts of the state are now showing that they also understand that Grand Strand tourism demands that this road be built as quickly as possible and that this area's tourism is the economic engine for all of South Carolina.

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