Plans are underway for a new hurricane evacuation route in southern Horry County.
Memvbers of a task force will hold meetings so residents can have a say.
The only evacuation route for people living in surfside beach is highway 544 to 501.
But as the population continues to grow it's obvious residents need a new evacuation route.
Officials with the task force for the new route want input from the public.
Task force officials say this new route will cut evacuation time in half.
Howard Barnard, chairman of the task force, said the new route should start somewhere between the Georgetown County line and the 544 bridge on Highway 17 Bypass.
Before construction begins, the task force needs public opinion on the road?s location.
Barnard said, ?I would imagine the road would jump somewhere from off of 707 to 701. Soon as you've mad that jump, you can go south through some rural routs through Georgetown County or there's a road that gets you to 378. 378 is the least utilized evacuation route."

Barnard says they plan to make the road four lanes.
Task force officials say people probably won't see construction for 6 to 8 years.
During that time, they'll gather federal and state government money.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will hold four meetings for public input:

Monday, May 8
5pm ? 8pm
Inlet Affairs
4031 Hwy 17 Business, Murrells Inlet.

Thursday, May 11
5pm ? 8pm
Brown Chapel AME Church
385 Brown?s Chapel Avenue, Conway

Monday, May 15
5pm ? 8pm
St. James High School Cafeteria
10800 Hwy 707, Murrells Inlet

Monday, May 22
5pm ? 8pm
Conway Elementary School Gymnasium
3001 4th Avenue, Conway