Fatal Murrells Inlet crash prompts safety talk. Are there plans to improve intersection?
A car crash that killed one person and injured two has residents of Murrells Inlet talking about the safety of a busy intersection — and if anything will be done to fix it.
A collision occurred at the southern intersection of U.S. 17 and U.S. 17 Business during the evening on July 21.
“It’s a dangerous intersection there,” said Georgetown County Council member Clint Elliott.
Exiting a 55 mph highway to a 35 mph road with a short intersection can turn ugly quick if someone incorrectly judges their speed or the amount of time it takes to slow down, Elliott said. He said he’s heard similar complaints from constituents.
Elliott said lowering the speed limit along that portion of U.S. 17 could help greatly.
People have speculated online if there will be any work done to the intersection, but there are no projects currently, said South Carolina Department of Transportation spokesperson Hannah Robinson.
At the other U.S. 17 and U.S. 17 Business intersection, near the former Inlet Square Mall there, there is an ongoing business intersection improvement project. It is in early stages, but plans call to add a traffic light to Tadlock Drive and U.S. 17.
That part of U.S. 17 sees over 43,000 cars daily, while U.S. 17 Business has around 4,300, according to the South Carolina DOT.
“Years ago it wasn’t that bad because traffic wasn’t that bad,” Elliott said. “But now it’s becoming an issue.”
