HORRY COUNTY, SC- The RIDE III Advisory Committee voted to allocate nearly $300 million towards road improvement projects in Carolina Forest, Conway, Myrtle Beach and the South Strand.
The most expensive project thus far involves widening Forestbrook Road, which connects Highway 501 to Dick Pond Road. Several residents along Forestbrook say cars back up in the morning with people commuting to work and school. Kevin Kelley is preparing to open Straight from Philly Pizzeria and Sports Bar on Forestbrook Road.
“It’s pretty busy out there,” said Kelley. “We’ve got new homes coming down the street.”
Setting up shop in a populated area can be troublesome without the infrastructure to support it.
Ride III Committee member Arnold Johnson chose widening Forestbrook as one of his top three priority projects.
“I’ve watched Forestbrook grow from the beginning,” said Johnson.
Horry County’s Office of Infrastructure expects 4,325 additional residents to move to the area.
“The road has just got too much traffic going and it needs to be widened in some form or fashion,” stated Johnson.
Details of the project are unknown, but the committee put $89 million towards funding.
Other projects include….
– Highway 501 Improvements (Option #1- complete six lanes widening from SC Hwy. 31 to US Hwy 501/544 Interchange, Option #2- Extend Postal Way to Waccamaw Pines, Option #3- Extend Middle Ridge Dr. to W. Perry Rd.)
– Realignment of Highway 501 at its intersection with Broadway Street into 7th Avenue North
– Southern Evacuation Lifeline (SELL)
– Conway Perimeter Road Phase II- construct new road with multi use trail from US 378 to US 701 South
– Carolina Forest Boulevard- widen and add a series of traffic lights
– US 17 Business/Garden City from Inlet Square Mall to Melody Lane- add an additional lane in each direction
The RIDE III Committee will need to vote on road improvement projects for North Myrtle Beach and Little River, before any of the projects are finalized. All projects will then go to Horry County Council for approval
