Traffic will be diverted into a one-way 23 mile “loop” this Memorial Day Weekend in Myrtle Beach to help maintain the increased number of motorists on the road.
From 10pm to 2am this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the traffic pattern will take effect.
The loop runs one-way from 29th Avenue North, down Ocean Boulevard, up Kings Highway to Harrelson Boulevard, then from Highway 31 to the Grissom Parkway, down Bypass 17 and then back down 29th Avenue North.
Once in the loop, there are only a few exits.
The first is at the entrance to Highway 31 off of 501, the next is staying Northbound on Highway 31 at the Grissom Parkway exit, and the final is staying straight on Bypass 17 at the 29th Avenue North Intersection.
News 13 drove the length of the entire loop Tuesday afternoon with light traffic and it took around 40 minutes.
Law enforcement says the traffic pattern is meant to help keep excess weekend traffic moving and if you can try to avoid the loop.
“If you don’t need to be on the road between 10pm and 2am we’re certainly encouraging that,” said Lieutenant Joey Crosby with the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Bypass 17 will have normal traffic patterns all weekend.
Kings Highway will also be open to two-way traffic, however at the intersection of Harrelson Boulevard traffic will be diverted into the loop.
If you live or stay at a hotel off the loop on Ocean Boulevard, law enforcement will allow you to turn off, but recommend you have information to prove you live or stay there.
Other parts of the county, including residents at River Oaks, will have to find another way to get home because they will not be able to turn off the loop.
Law enforcement suggests you park on the west side of Ocean Boulevard farther from the ocean.
That way you can avoid getting on the loop from your hotel.
