We're optimistic that today's two-Carolinas interstate highway summit meeting at Kingston Plantation will mark the beginning of a great leap forward for Grand Strand transportation.

Why? Each state has transportation leverage over the other.

By refusing to build a short Interstate 73 segment between the state line and the N.C. interstate complex near Rockingham, N.C., transportation leaders can frustrate South Carolina's dream of a high-utility interstate link to the beach.

By refusing to build a short Carolina Bays Parkway link between S.C. 9 and the state line, S.C. transportation leaders can frustrate North Carolina's hopes of extending Interstate 74 to the Grand Strand.

Stalemated leverage such as this creates an atmosphere where a mutually beneficial deal can take place. S.C. Transportation Director Betty Mabry and N.C. Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett would not hold their positions of power unless they were political realists. So, they and their delegations of highway commissioners should arrive at today's meeting ready to move on both projects. Once a deal is cut, both delegations have the clout to acquire rights of way, conduct the necessary engineering studies and get the dirt flying.

Two wild cards could spoil the optimism that we and others feel about the summit at Kingston Plantation:

Whether Tippett and his delegation are serious about the demand that South Carolina extend Interstate 20 from Florence to Wilmington, N.C. Such a project would soak up a disproportionate share of meager highway money, with minimal benefit to South Carolina.

Whether N.C. officials are willing to work on I-73 and I-74 at the same time. Because I-73 is just a concept while much of I-74 in North Carolina already exists, S.C. officials would be foolish to begin work on an I-74 link without concrete N.C. action on I-73. N.C. transportation leaders do have a spotty record on helping South Carolina meet its bistate transportation needs.

With good faith and luck, these issues won't spoil today's party. Ideally, leaders from both states today will voice an understanding that both highways will run both ways, and that building them will benefit both states' residents.