Extension of Harrelson Boulevard officially open

With sunny skies and pleasant temperatures as a backdrop, city and county officials gathered to officially open the extension of Harrelson Boulevard.

The extension, an $8.9 million project on which construction started roughly 18 months ago, connects U.S. 17 Bypass with Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, running past the Myrtle Beach International Airport, giving visitors a quicker way to reach downtown Myrtle Beach.

“What other airport do you know of that has a view of the ocean and a view of a golf course,” said Horry County Council Chairman Tom Rice.

That golf course is Whispering Pines, which runs right beside the new extension and is directly across from the airport. A few golfers were making shots Thursday from the fairway of the hole nearest where the dedication ceremony was taking place.

Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes commented that Harrelson Boulevard provides easy accessibility to both the airport and Whispering Pines.

Twenty-two local contractors and subcontractors worked on the 1.7-mile long extension, with work beginning in August 2010.

Harrelson Boulevard’s completion comes roughly a year ahead of the expected opening of an expanded terminal at the airport. That $118 million project will increase the total number of gates in the terminal from seven to 13.

“This is a great day for Myrtle Beach and the county,” Rhodes said.

The audience at Thursday’s dedication sat quietly and listened while Leroy Harrelson Jr., the son of the road’s namesake, discussed the history of the city of Myrtle Beach.

Turning 90 this summer, Harrelson recalled moving to Horry County with his family in 1927 and found between 200 and 300 people living in Myrtle Beach.

Harrelson’s father owned a pharmacy when the family first arrived. He remembered it being a social place, especially for ladies of the community to come and gather.

The elder Harrelson was eventually elected Myrtle Beach’s first mayor in 1938.

Harrelson Sr. insisted that everyone coming to Myrtle Beach have the right and ability to get to the ocean, his son added.

With Thursday’s opening of the Harrelson Boulevard extension, that wish is being maintained in the 21st century, as is accessibility to hotels and the airport.

“This will be tremendous,” Harrelson said. “I think it’s going to be a major artery ... very important to the economy of the area.”