Area I-73 funding caught up in misconceptions, some political mischief
The Horry County Council’s close rejection of a funding plan for Interstate 73 illustrates the economic and political complexities – and misconceptions – in the project.
From the council members’ discussion before the 6-5 vote, it’s clear a majority may support the concept of connecting the Grand Strand to the nation’s interstate highway system but are far from convinced about the timing of the county’s commitment.
Members like Al Allen of Aynor made clear they don’t oppose construction of the highway from the Veterans Highway (S.C. 22) to I-95 at Dillon. (Chairman Johnny Gardner, Harold Worley, Danny Hardee, Mark Causey, Orton Bellamy and Allen voted no on a resolution that would put $4.2 million annually for up to 30 years toward construction.)
Allen expressed what others, notably Gardner, have said: the federal and state governments have to show us the money, then we’ll talk about the county’s share. Oh, and the county shouldn’t be first. Let cities like Myrtle Beach set their share of the approximately $350 million in local funding.
S.C. FUNDING
Constructing the 43-mile Southern leg of I-73 is estimated to cost $1.6 billion, including $795 million from South Carolina and $350 million from the federal government. Gov. Henry McMaster has proposed using $300 million of the state’s federal covid relief money for I-73. That is a legislative decision, and convincing a majority of the General Assembly is hardly a given.
Upstate legislators don’t necessarily see how I-73 will benefit their areas – that what’s good for our area is good for all of South Carolina. Like others, legislators may not understand that I-73 is far more an easier route for tourists.
Interstate 73 is a better hurricane evacuation route and vital to attracting economic development other than tourism. People seeking to recruit new employers to the area know that manufacturing concerns require an interstate.
Proponents of I-73, primarily the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, need to work on educating people on misconceptions such as that expressed by Kevin Mishoe, a community organizer.
‘WHY AN INTERSTATE?’
“Why pay for a new interstate that only benefits Myrtle Beach and the tourists traveling there?” Mishoe said at the council meeting.
Other residents questioned the wisdom of financing a new highway when other roads and problems such as flooding need attention. Part of the answer is hospitality fee revenue, from which the county’s I-73 funding would come, has restrictions.
Financing I-73 does not necessarily take money away from other road improvements, such as those needed on Highway 90, which runs from U.S. 501 at Conway to U.S. 17 in Little River. No doubt, 90 needs to be widened, after two decades of growth.
Other roads also are jammed with vehicles, because the county has failed to address the impact of growth on infrastructure. Those needs do not, will not, change the public safety and economic facts about I-73.
BAILEY AND McBRIDE
When McMaster announced his proposal to use a relatively small portion of federal covid relief money for I-73, the usually quiet state representative from Little River, William Bailey, made a statement calling McMaster irresponsible. Bailey expressed support for the highway but challenged the appropriateness of using covid relief funds.
Mark McBride, a former mayor of Myrtle Beach and one of several announced Republican candidates opposing U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, said at the county council meeting Oct. 19, “I haven’t talked to one person who supports I-73 …” Chad Caton, involved in the reorganized, outlier Horry County Republican Party, also spoke, claiming I-73 “… is a lobby thing; this isn’t a citizen thing.”
Rice, the congressman from the 7th S.C. District since it was formed following the 2010 Census, has steadfastly worked for construction of I-73.
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Correction: An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly stated that William Bailey endorsed Mark McBride for political office on Facebook.
This story was originally published October 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM.