MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Leaders of the Ride III Advisory Committee met with residents in Carolina Forest to hear their input on new plans for road construction in Horry County.
It was one of seven public meetings the committee will host before making any final decisions on the project.
People who live in Carolina Forest say they don’t feel the new Ride III proposal will meet their needs in the growing area.
Wednesday night, people were able to take a look at the plans the group has to pave 100 dirt roads in the county and in what order the group plans to work on the projects.
Ronald Girardin lives in Carolina Forest, and he says the new Ride III project won’t get his vote.
“We were promised last time and we voted for Ride II. Now they want us to vote on Ride III when their jobs depend on it, and they don’t really care,” said Giradin.
Several people at the meeting claimed the Ride II project promised to help widen Carolina Forest Boulevard, but Ride III Sales Tax Commission Chair Eddie Dyer says that’s not true.
“It was never on the list. I know a lot of people were trying to get it on the list, but it didn’t make the cut,” said Dyer.
Dyer says in the Ride III project, Carolina Forest Boulevard is at the top of the list, along with work on US Highway 501 and the Palmetto Pointe Boulevard Extension.
The last project on the list is the Highway 31 Extension to the South Carolina North Carolina state line because of the complexity of the project.
“All of them are important. If a project is toward the bottom of the list, it doesn’t mean it’s not important, it doesn’t mean it won’t get started as quickly as possible,” said Dyer.
Dyer says none of these plans are final and that the committee is open to any recommendations community members have. That’s why they plan to hold six more meetings.
The plan is for committee leaders to gather ideas, vote on their decision in April, and then take their recommendations to county council this May.
Full Ride III Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule:Wednesday, March 16
6-8 p.m. Carolina Forest Recreation Center2254 Carolina Forest Blvd., Myrtle BeachThursday, March 175-7 p.m. James R. Frazier Community Center1370 Bucksport Road, ConwayTuesday, March 22
5-7 p.m. Myrtle Beach Train Depot851 Broadway St, Myrtle Beach Thursday, March 24
5-7 p.m. Conway City Hall229 Main St., ConwayTuesday, March 29
5-7 p.m. Surfside Beach Town Hall115 Highway 17 North, Surfside BeachThursday, March 31
5-7 p.m. North Myrtle Beach City Hall1018 2nd Ave S, North Myrtle BeachMonday, April 4
5-7 p.m. Academy for Technology & Academics5639 Highway 701 North, Conway
