10 years later: US 501 work in Myrtle Beach taking shape. When will it be finished?

As progress continues on the realignment of U.S. 501 in downtown Myrtle Beach, drivers will see some changes at popular intersections.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation is working to realign U.S. 501 to improve traffic flow to downtown Myrtle Beach by connecting the highway’s Broadway Street intersection to 7th Avenue North at Oak Street.

The RIDE project, which was budgeted for nearly $14 million after Horry County voters approved the RIDE 3 referendum in 2016, will also upgrade the intersections along 7th Avenue North and add sidewalks in the area.

Construction on the realignment officially began in March with the demolition of several buildings adjacent to U.S. 501.

The first layers of asphalt have been installed on the new road, and storm drainage improvements have also been completed.

There will be less work on the project over the next several weeks to minimize traffic disruptions during Myrtle Beach’s busy summer season, according to an update from Horry County Government. Construction on the project will ramp up after Labor Day.

The project is expected to be completed later this year.

Downtown Myrtle Beach road closures

Several roads in downtown Myrtle Beach also remain closed as the City of Myrtle Beach works on underground utility improvements and installation.

A portion of North Oak Street from Broadway Street to Mr. Joe White Avenue is closed, as well as a section of 10th Avenue North near the Myrtle Beach City Services building.

Residents can access the City Services building by parking at the new City Services parking lot, and the City of Myrtle Beach suggests driving through 9th Avenue North at Lumber Street or 10th Avenue North at Mr. Joe White Avenue for easiest access.

These road closures are unrelated to the U.S. 501 realignment, and are expected to be finished in the fall.