Cooperation delivers success on interstates

For those of us who have been working toward making Interstate 73 a reality in South Carolina, Feb. 11 was a day we will long remember. Leaders from the S.C. Department of Transportation, board members from our sister DOT in North Carolina and representatives from both states came together in Myrtle Beach. The result is a partnership that will bring I-73 from Richmond County, N.C., to Horry County and extend S.C. 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) into North Carolina as a potential link to Interstate 74.

The agreements reached now allow us to define the southern leg of the I-73 corridor, designated by Congress, which begins in Michigan and continues through Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia before entering North Carolina and terminating in the Myrtle Beach area.

The agreements are the result of longtime efforts by N.C. and S.C. officials, as well as many dedicated legislators and citizens across the state from the Pee Dee and the Grand Strand.

Those in attendance at the Carolinas I-73 Transportation Summit witnessed the culmination of many discussions, and the official forging of yet another partnership between the two Carolinas. Our longstanding relationship with North Carolina once again will bring advancement and economic vitality to both states.

N.C. Secretary of Transportation Lyndo Tippett, board Chairman Doug Galyon, Vice Chairman G.R. Kindley and other N.C. Transportation Board members demonstrated that they were ready to roll up their sleeves and address the details that would chart the future of I-73 and I-74 in the Carolinas. They handled the issues as true professionals and statesmen. It is clear that they have the best interests of their state at heart and that they realize that completing I-73 and I-74 is the key to creating economic opportunity for both North and South Carolina.

Working beside the N.C. leaders were their counterparts from South Carolina and others who have been devoted to making I-73 a reality in our state for many years. This meeting was a success because everyone involved was committed to doing what was best for both Carolinas.

Now we are one step closer to seeing I-73 in the Palmetto State, but most of the work still is ahead of us. Environmental studies are ongoing for the section of I-73 from I-95 to the Myrtle Beach area. As a result of the summit, the S.C. DOT now can begin environmental studies for I-73, northwest of I-95 to the Rockingham area of North Carolina. N.C. DOT will be involved in the part of the study where I-73 comes into North Carolina. Also, the N.C. DOT now can begin work on an environmental study to extend I-74 down into South Carolina to connect to the Carolina Bays Parkway. S.C. DOT will be involved in the part of the study where I-74 comes into South Carolina. These studies will be undertaken concurrently but separately. They must be completed in order to identify the preferred route for I-73 and I-74.

We are excited about bringing interstate access to the Grand Strand while improving evacuation routes and spurring economic development throughout the Pee Dee. This would not have been possible without the cooperation of our partners in North Carolina and the full support of those working and living in the affected areas.

The S.C. DOT looks forward to discussions with the N.C. DOT in the future, as we continue to work on issues that benefit both states and the Southeast.