CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Monday, Horry County Council Member, Johnny Vaught, presented an alternative option to the Ride III plan to Conway City Council that would cost more than $30 million dollars extra.

“The focus of the two projects, taken forward to the Ride Committee by the city of Conway, were too narrow; it did not help enough people,” said Horry County Council Member, Johnny Vaught.

Vaught says Ride Projects only come around every eight years.

“If we’re going to get these things done now is the time to do it,” he said.

Vaught say he wants to make sure these projects will benefit the most people.

Vaught proposed cutting one established project, the El Bethel Extension, and reducing the scope of another, Highway 701 North Widening.

And instead Vaught is suggestion widening Highway 378, Singleton Ridge Road, and Highway 905.

That would bump the total cost of the Conway Ride Projects to $88.2 million dollars that’s nearly 60% more than what was originally budgeted.

Vaught says the Ride III Committee has the money and it’s worth the extra cost.

“I’m coming in as a citizen as well as a councilman because I’m a lifelong Conway resident and to me, I have a vested interest in seeing the City of Conway best served and the people best serve,” he said.

As a council member, Vaught will have part of the final vote on the Ride III project.

Something Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy says is important to consider.

“There needs to be some balance between what we give as our recommendation and hopefully we’ll be feeding something to him that he can stand for,” said Mayor Blain-Bellamy

Blain-Bellamy says Vaught’s background as an engineer, lifelong Conway resident and Horry County Council Member all play into the decision making process.

“Terribly compelling and something worth looking at and comparing what we believe the cost and benefits are,” said Mayor Blain-Bellamy.

Now the city must figure out exactly what they’re willing to change and if that decision will affect Vaught’s vote on the final project.

Vaught told city council, these were just his ideas and he is willing to discuss alternatives with council.

The Ride III Committee’s next meeting is February 18th.

Mayor Blain-Bellamy told me there is no scheduled date to discuss Vaught’s alternative suggestions, but she plans to speak with council over the next several days.