Mixed reactions from Grand Strand, Pee Dee leaders over lack of I-73 funding

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - After the governor released details of his 2024 executive budget, some officials across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee were left disappointed with the notable exclusion of funding for I-73.

A spokesperson for Governor Henry McMaster tells WMBF News he didn’t recommend funding for an I-73 expansion, which would provide a direct link from the Grand Strand to I-95 and North Carolina, because “support has died down from local and county leaders.”

WMBF News spoke to some of those leaders Monday and found it’s a mixed bag between them.

“Horry County Council supports I-73, we just don’t have the funding to make it happen,” said Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner.

Among those disappointed by McMaster’s decision not to fund the road is Marion Mayor Ashley Brady, who sees the highway as a big-time money-maker for his city.

”The economic development impact in Marion County would be tremendous,” said Brady. “This would be great for our area to have the interstate, so I’m not sure where the non-support is. Everybody I know in Marion County is supportive of it.”

Dillon Mayor Tally McColl has a different perspective, telling WMBF News he trusts the governor and state legislature’s judgment. But, he says he may favor the proposed I-73 plans if the road went through Dillon instead of around it.

“I think that when you look around the area that’s affected by I-73, there are many municipalities or small cities or towns like Dillon that are concerned about moving the tourists, or traffic that’s currently moving it down Highway 9, and moving it out of their local municipalities,” said McColl.

While the proposed interstate has both supporters and critics, some fear it will never come to fruition without help from the state and federal governments.

“They’re going to have to pay their fair share,” said Gardner. “We’ve been saying that the whole time I’ve been on council, and we’ll keep saying that until we start moving forward.”

Gardner added that Horry County still plans to chip in its share for the road from its ongoing Ride IV project.

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