Traffic, road closures & police: What holiday drivers can expect in Myrtle Beach area

With parades, fireworks and celebrations, Grand Strand roads will be packed with people out to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.

Drivers should be prepared for heavy traffic, particularly on major roads and around large events, as well as road closures and increased law enforcement.

The city of North Myrtle Beach will initiate a lane reversal on July 4 in conjunction with the fireworks show in Cherry Grove, which ends at 10 p.m. Drivers can expect heavy traffic as spectators leave the area.

Ocean Boulevard traffic will move northbound and southbound only, without turning onto Sea Mountain Highway. All eastbound traffic on Sea Mountain Highway will turn right at Spring Street, and all southbound traffic on Nixon and Duffy streets will turn right onto Sea Mountain Highway. Drivers will access Highway 17 North through 11th Avenue North.

After fireworks traffic clears, the area will return to regular traffic patterns.

Emergency repairs on Myrtle Beach bridge

Myrtle Beach isn’t implementing any special traffic patterns or road closures for the holiday weekend, but on Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Transportation closed the Fifth Avenue South bridge over Myrtle Swash for emergency repairs. Detour signs in the area direct drivers on the alternate route.

Down in Surfside Beach, Ocean Boulevard will close from 16th Avenue North to 16th Avenue South for the 4th of July Golf Cart Parade from around 9:30 a.m. to noon.

What about checkpoints?

Representatives from the Myrtle Beach Police Department, North Myrtle Beach Police Department, Surfside Beach Police Department and Horry County Police Department told The Sun News they don’t have any checkpoints planned this weekend, but drivers should expect increased law enforcement presence on Grand Strand roads.

“As with every Fourth of July weekend, there will likely be plenty of tourists and visitors. We ask everyone pack their patience and adhere to all laws regarding the operation of any motorized vehicles in the hopes everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time,” said Horry County Public Information Office Director Thomas Bell.