I think that this project is long past due for the economic development. Horry County has to be the largest county in the nation to not be served by an interstate of any type. We as a community need to get behind this infrastructure project and others like it to further this area’s economic development and aid in traffic relief. Other than this project, I believe that the federal aid in building the Southern Evacuation Life Line is crucial for this area. My one quarrel with SELL is that instead of being the southern Conway bypass and dumping horrific amounts of traffic into the decrepit 501 near Aynor, that project should be extended the extra 40 miles and connected to Interstate 20 just south of Florence. That way there would be even more federal funding not to mention state and federal aid in maintaining the road long term. Or an even better funding solution would be to make the project a toll road, that way tourists would help pave the way. If you were able to do this, traffic to and from the Grand Strand would be alleviated on the northern and southern parts of the county, and thousands of jobs would be created for a decade.
P. Aaron – Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
We need I-73 now. 7,000 jobs a year? Why are we not building this interstate? It's time to get this project moving. No more talking, just need action.
E. Jennings – Surfside Beach, SC
________________________
Every time I read Buck Limehouse's comments, I get madder and madder. So he takes credit for building the Conway Bypass, and that's enough to just back off and trust him to build I-73? Gimme a break. Does he think we don't know that he got that bridge in Charleston for next to nothing, while we had to add our own tax to build roads that were needed a decade before? This routine is getting old. I thought Mark Sanford was all about reforming government. He needs to start reforming by getting a transportation director that will start I-73.
B. Simonze – Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
It never ceases to amaze me how dumb our politicians can be. This project will create 38,000 jobs and they do not want to start on it because it would require an "interchange to nowhere". How can it be to nowhere if you build the road? It would only be nowhere if you decide to start but not finish. If there are other projects that are more important, maybe they should just compare the jobs estimate on those projects to I-73. Start whatever project will create the most jobs.
W. Johannsen – Aynor, SC
________________________
I think they have been talking about this road for too many years. DOT put the signs up more than ten years ago. If it is not shovel ready by now, somebody at DOT should be fired. We need more jobs. We should start this project as soon as possible.
William Rinchor – Conway, SC
________________________
I think it would be ludicrous to add additional traffic to 501. I think the practical thing would be to add a loop over at Carolina Forest and some of the other bottle neck areas.
R. Van Marter – Little River, SC
________________________
I support building I-73 but KNOW the "Stimulus package" is a welfare effort. If it is passed, we might get the road built but NO one will have money to come visit us!!! Please be careful and separate the two issues.
R. White – North Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
This is typical for South Carolina. Buck Limehouse and his buddies in Charleston will end up with most of the money, maybe throw a little bit to Columbia. We get left out every time. What a waste. We need a better Secretary of Transportation. Sure am glad I did not vote for him when he ran for Congress. We are better off with the workhorse, Henry Brown. Where is Danny Isaac on this? Where is Mark Sanford. Hello ... anyone there???
B. Mannixe – Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
We need Interstate 73 now. Buck Limehouse says it is not ready to begin? Well, of course not, as long as he is in charge. I bet if this were the bridge in Charleston we’d already be laying asphalt. What a disappointment. Governor Sanford promised we would get this road built. He needs to fire the whole DOT and replace them with people who know how to get their “shovels ready.”
W. Medler – North Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
Here's an idea: let's extend I-73 to Charleston. That is the only way we will ever get Mark Sanford or Buck Limehouse to support it.
V. Gasparillo – Georgetown, SC
________________________
The money will get wasted on other projects.
L. Thompson – Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
In addition to the I-73 Project there are several critical infrastructures that need be reinforced/expanded including a systematic consolidation of all public transit (RTA) services serving the Grand Strand, Pee Dee and Greater Charleston area with linkages to Columbia and Wilmington NC. A coordinated system of public transit buses and vans would enable many of those individuals lacking cars to easily commute through the Coastal Region for employment, health care, social and recreational activities. It would enable workers from the region east of I-95 to have access to the Grand Strand thus creating a greater pool of perspective employees for the recreational/hospitality industry and reverse commute from the Grand Strand to employment centers off the Strand. We need also consider a link to rail services from Amtrak at Florence to the Grand Strand either via a rail spur to allow a shuttle train to feed the Strand or link Amtrak from Florence with passenger air services at Myrtle Beach. As part of the Obama Administration's infrastructure proposals, there is a keen interest in enhancing high speed rail from Washington D.C. to Atlanta. Should this occur, a feeder from Florence would enhance the ability to bring visitors to the Strand via another means of commutation in addition to cars and air travel. Finally, the expansion of Myrtle Beach Airport needs to include a second runway to allow representatives of he Strand's business community to pursue international travel, convention and hospitality business. If we are truly to compete with other destinations for these businesses in the Southeast, we need have the advantage of offering international air travel as well.
J. Elekes, M.Ed, MPA, CPM - Surfside Beach, SC
________________________
I just saw on TV where this project will create 7,700 jobs. What are we waiting for? This road is long overdue. DOT keeps saying this is not shovel ready. Well, get the shovels moving and make it ready. We built 22 in a just a few years. Why can't DOT do the same for I-73?
P. Murphy – Conway, SC
________________________
The news channel just showed this will bring 7000 jobs to us. We need the jobs badly. I hope the leadership in Columbia will pay attention to this. We need those jobs today.
T. Pringle – Marion, SC
________________________
Interstate 73 will attract industry to this area so we won't be so dependent upon the coast. We need jobs. I cannot understand what the holdup is. They say it is not shovel ready but the people saying that have never pushed a shovel in their life. Danny Isaac is not doing his job. He was elected by the people to get the job done. We need a better commissioner.
J. Fowler – Aynor, SC
________________________
I believe the support of I-73 is vital to not only the economy of our region, but also to the connectivity of the rest of the country. Not only will it make it easier for visitors to drive here, but in the event of an emergency, it would provide another route to evacuate this area more efficiently. It is bad enough that flights in and out of Myrtle Beach are so expensive that it makes it difficult for people to visit here, let's at least make it more accessible by vehicular traffic. The majority of our economy is tourism. Let's make it better by providing access by I-73 NOW, not 10 years from now.
M. Thill – North Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
Build this road now. We have waited too long. It should have been finished 10 years ago. Buck Limehouse is wrong. Where is Mark Sanford on this issue? If they support it, get with it. If they don't, let's replace them with people who will do what they say. Build I-73 now.
T. Davidson – Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
The stimulus funds should be used to pay for Interstate 73. We have paid for our part of I-73. No one else has. It's time for the state to start doing for us what they do for Charleston. Did Charleston pay for its bridge like we paid for RIDE? Of course not. Buck Limehouse is from Charleston and so is Mark Sanford. They will make sure the Holy City gets its roads, but have they forgotten us?
R. Faulkner – Conway, SC
________________________
Interstate 73 is not shovel ready? Somebody at DOT needs to get out from behind their desk and start turning their shovels. They put those I-73 signs up 20 years ago. What a shame.
R. Thomas – Loris, SC
________________________
After reading many of the comments from visitors, it seems obvious that those living out of the state or away from the area 1-73 will impact are all for this. But for those of you not impacted by this road, think how you would feel if it were your home being demolished or your home that will be right next to the highway. What would you think then? No one told us of this when we moved to this home and it was an issue for over 10 years.
A. Frohmann – Conway, SC
________________________
When I moved here in 1960 the roads were way behind the population growth - they still are. Let's get ahead just once. Even during the Depression and gas rationing people figured out ways to vacation at the coast. We can assist them and us all at one time.
C. Milner - Little River, SC
________________________
I
have been coming to Myrtle Beach for 40 years and now
live here. During these 40 yrs, me and my family have
always hated the trip here and home because of the mostly
two lanes road we had to travel on in South Carolina.
I have heard many many "northern" people complain
about this problem and some often said they did not come
to Myrtle because of this problem.
I am so excited that this situation might change. It is
such an important issue for South Carolina.
J.
Sanborn – Little River, SC
________________________
Please
use stimulus money for I-73 into Myrtle Beach. We desperately
need a quicker connection from I-95 here for both tourists
and evacuations. Also, we need a shoulder added on Glenn's
Bay Rd. in Surfside for pedestrians and bicycles. Thank
you.
U.
Yelenovic - Surfside Beach, SC
________________________
We
need I-73. Why doesn't Governor Sanford and Secretary
Limehouse support this? It's crazy. I voted for Sanford
but NEVER again if he does not step up on this one. He
promised I-73 when he ran. It's time to make good on that
promise.
J.
Stanley – Conway, SC
________________________
We
need I-73. The state needs to build this road NOW. No
excuses. Build it now. We need the road and we need the
jobs.
M.
Cantore – Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
The
time has come, let's start laying asphalt. Build I-73
today. This interstate should have been built a long time
ago. We should use stimulus money and every other means
to pay for this road, including tolls. Make it happen.
K.
Meters – Surfside Beach, SC
________________________
DOT
should make this the #1 priority. I do not understand
why Buck Limehouse is not willing to start construction
on this road. If Governor Sanford truly supports this
road, he should tell Limehouse to build it or find himself
a new Secretary of Transportation.
G.
Hearth – Little River, SC
________________________
We
need jobs, jobs, jobs. Start it today. Time's a wasting.
I support I-73 so let's get it built soon.
W.
Henk – Loris, SC
________________________
I
believe I73 would be the best starting point to spend
the money. It should be the #1 priority on the states
list.
T.
Wolfe – Conway, SC
________________________
I
fully support Interstate 73. This road was needed a long
time ago. It should already be built. SCDOT needs to get
busy laying asphalt NOW.
H.
Cassidy – Conway, SC
________________________
What
a shame that SCDOT is procrastinating on this project.
I thought it was the #1 project for SCDOT? Gov. Mark Sanford
has always told us he supports I-73. It is time for Gov.
Sanford to tell SCDOT that he wants to see I-73 begin
during his term as Governor. We need the jobs, let's get
this road started.
M.
Allen – Myrtle Beach, SC
________________________
Find the money, build the road, sooner rather than later.
We needed this highway 20 years ago.
D.
Witty – Surfside Beach, SC
________________________
This
is crazy, we need this road to be built now. People are
hurting and jobs are becoming scarce. What a shame if
SC gets millions of dollars for road construction and
they do not put even a dime towards I-73. That would be
very sad. We cannot let that happen. We must have an interstate
connection.
L.
Jahnes – Little River, SC
