Interstate 73 moving forward in 2016 with federal funding request, conservation mitigation

Plans to move forward in 2016 to build Interstate 73 to connect Myrtle Beach with Interstate 95 include the application of federal funding through a new pot of money and the purchase of Gunter’s Island to mitigate the disturbance of wetlands, said Mike Wooten, vice chairman of the state transportation commission.

The additional federal funding for highway projects that are of national and regional significance was approved by Congress earlier this month, and Wooten said they are confident South Carolina will qualify to get a share of those dollars.

Not only is the interstate link in South Carolina beneficial to the regional and national economy, but the original intent of the highway system was to go through the state, Wooten said.

“You can drive on segments of I-73 in every state between here and Sault Ste. Marie, but there’s not a single I-73 sign in South Carolina, and it was our idea,” Wooten said of the highway that was intended to connect the state to Michigan.

Harvey Peeler, South Carolina Senate majority leader, told The Greenville News earlier this week that he would object to funding Interstate 73 until numerous other existing road projects were completed including Interstate 85 in the Upstate and Interstate 26 leading into Charleston.

However, Interstate 73 would be paid for by federal dollars, plus matching money that Wooten says should be funded through a toll or sales tax, not from state transportation funding intended for other road projects.

The transportation commission’s recently approved plan to move forward with the purchase of Gunter’s Island was predicated on $50 million in federal funding that is already in the bank, Wooten said.

“I agree with the senator, we are in a deplorable condition of maintaining state roads, and every dime of state money we can muster should be spent on maintaining roads, including the widening of interstates,” Wooten said. “Peeler is right on, but I think they caught him unaware of what pocket of money this was coming from.”

The $50 million in federal grants and previous congressional earmarks were specifically awarded for the construction of Interstate 73, and cannot be used on any other state roads, Wooten said.

That money has been used to purchase about 35 percent of needed right-of-ways, the permitting process, and mitigation, which includes the pending Gunter’s Island purchase.

The purchase of the hunting and recreation area along the Little Pee Dee River in Horry County would ensure the property was conserved, and mitigate any damage to nearly 300 acres of wetlands in the path of the interstate.

The acquisition is intended to satisfy permit requirements from the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as ease concerns among environmentalists.

Wooten said he could not disclose the purchase price or how much of the 6,800 acre property would be purchased because the contract has not been finalized.

The Department of Natural Resources has been pushing for a land purchase to mitigate the damage to wetlands, and the Army Corps “has been exceedingly helpful,” Wooten said.

However, the response to the pending purchase by one local environmental group who opposes the construction of Interstate 73 was not welcoming.

“The Coastal Conservation League does not think I-73 is necessary. There are alternatives that are less expensive and meet the purpose and need,” said Nancy Cave, north coast director. “A great piece of property that is worth saving like Gunter’s Island, does not justify the project.”

This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Interstate 73 moving forward in 2016 with federal funding request, conservation mitigation."