I-73 & I-74 in S.C.

[ReeseFerlautoI74/85]

And 2020? Dang that is long

SM-G360T1

[roadman65]

And 2020? Dang that is long

SM-G360T1

I didn't say it would be quick.

[wdcrft63]

NC would rather have SC extend I-20 east of Florence so that they could connect it to Wilmington, but SC will not budge on that one.

Really? That would be a lot of construction for minimal distance savings over 20-95-74.

I don't think the idea of extending I-20 is active in either NC or SC.

[Henry]

NC would rather have SC extend I-20 east of Florence so that they could connect it to Wilmington, but SC will not budge on that one.

Really? That would be a lot of construction for minimal distance savings over 20-95-74.

I don't think the idea of extending I-20 is active in either NC or SC.

It's just an idea that is popular in the Fictional Highways realm, and will never happen here for the reason stated above.

[CanesFan27]

NC would rather have SC extend I-20 east of Florence so that they could connect it to Wilmington, but SC will not budge on that one.

Really? That would be a lot of construction for minimal distance savings over 20-95-74.

I don't think the idea of extending I-20 is active in either NC or SC.

It's just an idea that is popular in the Fictional Highways realm, and will never happen here for the reason stated above.

Mike Easley posts in the Fictional Highways board? 

[roadman65]

Yes according to Wikipedia it was considered but never brought to AASHTO for consideration.  It was the idea to connect Atlanta to the Port of Wilmington and it was not to keen with SC and also dropped in 2005 after Easley left office.

[WashuOtaku]

So here is a rare update:  Study links SC 22, southern evacuation route, to build I-73.

Highlight from the article:

• Tolls would raise $2.3 billion over 40 years
• 85 mph speed limit would be allowed
• I-73 would connect with I-95 near Dillon

My opinion on it, I question the speed limit, which is 15mph higher than the top speed in the state.  A similar sales pitch was done in North Carolina raising speeds to only 75mph if I-95 becomes a toll road and that fell flat in the General Assembly.  I expect no different in South Carolina, especially since they have legislators kicking and screaming all they can to keep road funding grossly underfunded to maintain a low gasoline tax.

[Revive 755]

So here is a rare update:  Study links SC 22, southern evacuation route, to build I-73.

Maybe that bit at the end of the article about requiring opponents of the ACOE permit to post bond should be considered at the national level.

[Henry]

Yes, 85 is too much for a speed limit in SC. I could see it work in any of the Western states, but not in the East.

[The Ghostbuster]

I doubt construction on any more of Interstate 73 & 74 in South Carolina will begin for at least 10 years if not longer.

[Henry]

I doubt construction on any more of Interstate 73 & 74 in South Carolina will begin for at least 10 years if not longer.

We'll see what will be done to I-74 in NC before we can speculate on construction in SC. IIRC, there are arguments that I-74 should go to Wilmington, while the original plans have it curving back to the SW, a la I-64, towards Myrtle Beach.

[The Ghostbuster]

I agree. Interstate 74 in North Carolina should be completed first.

[slorydn1]

Yes, 85 is too much for a speed limit in SC. I could see it work in any of the Western states, but not in the East.

Why? There are areas in the Carolinas (coastal plain especially) that are as flat as a pancake with almost unlimited viability. Think west Texas with grass. 80+ would not be an issue on a properly designed road in those areas.

[WashuOtaku]

Yes, 85 is too much for a speed limit in SC. I could see it work in any of the Western states, but not in the East.

Why? There are areas in the Carolinas (coastal plain especially) that are as flat as a pancake with almost unlimited viability. Think west Texas with grass. 80+ would not be an issue on a properly designed road in those areas.

The political will isn't there is all.  North Carolina recently struck down 75mph for tolls and Pennsylvania passed a law several years ago for 70mph and just now getting the Turnpike Authority to raise the limits.  Can the roads handle it, sure; but if the state cap is 70mph, then it goes no faster than that.

[Mapmikey]

Yes, 85 is too much for a speed limit in SC. I could see it work in any of the Western states, but not in the East.

Why? There are areas in the Carolinas (coastal plain especially) that are as flat as a pancake with almost unlimited viability. Think west Texas with grass. 80+ would not be an issue on a properly designed road in those areas.

Think west Texas with trees and with numerous shoulder-less bridges.  Also the only interstates in SC that are flat are 95 (fairly busy) and 26 is flat only east of Orangeburg.

[slorydn1]

Yes, 85 is too much for a speed limit in SC. I could see it work in any of the Western states, but not in the East.

Why? There are areas in the Carolinas (coastal plain especially) that are as flat as a pancake with almost unlimited viability. Think west Texas with grass. 80+ would not be an issue on a properly designed road in those areas.

The political will isn't there is all.  North Carolina recently struck down 75mph for tolls and Pennsylvania passed a law several years ago for 70mph and just now getting the Turnpike Authority to raise the limits.  Can the roads handle it, sure; but if the state cap is 70mph, then it goes no faster than that.

Oh I agree. I was basically commenting on the blanket statement that it can work in western states but not in the east-I should have been more clear.

There are areas in the east-NC, SC, GA, FL especially, where 80+ would work on properly designed roads. I understand that the various state governments would have to pass laws to raise the maximum but I thought that was so self evident that I didn't need to comment on it. I understand that I-95 and I-26 wouldn't fit the standard of properly designed, at least not yet. There are other Interstates being built (and several non-Interstate freeways) that already do, or would in the future.

[jwolfer]

Yes, 85 is too much for a speed limit in SC. I could see it work in any of the Western states, but not in the East.

Why? There are areas in the Carolinas (coastal plain especially) that are as flat as a pancake with almost unlimited viability. Think west Texas with grass. 80+ would not be an issue on a properly designed road in those areas.

The political will isn't there is all.  North Carolina recently struck down 75mph for tolls and Pennsylvania passed a law several years ago for 70mph and just now getting the Turnpike Authority to raise the limits.  Can the roads handle it, sure; but if the state cap is 70mph, then it goes no faster than that.

Oh I agree. I was basically commenting on the blanket statement that it can work in western states but not in the east-I should have been more clear.

There are areas in the east-NC, SC, GA, FL especially, where 80+ would work on properly designed roads. I understand that the various state governments would have to pass laws to raise the maximum but I thought that was so self evident that I didn't need to comment on it. I understand that I-95 and I-26 wouldn't fit the standard of properly designed, at least not yet. There are other Interstates being built (and several non-Interstate freeways) that already do, or would in the future.

My mom said she remembers the speed limit being 80 on I-95 in Florida back in the 1960s I'm not sure I believe her

[Strider]

A progress is made on I-73 in SC. From the looks of it.. if the project is a go (pending review from environmentalists, the Corp of Engineers and public comments) it will more likely to be built as a toll road. There are a few links regarding the I-73 in SC:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article88592432.html

http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article89074942.html

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article89157212.html

http://wbtw.com/2016/07/12/commission-board-says-i-73-will-be-built/

[The Ghostbuster]

I hope Interstate 73 is built in South Carolina, as well as Interstate 74. Otherwise, North Carolina will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations why they picked such hair-brained numbers.

[LM117]

I hope Interstate 73 is built in South Carolina, as well as Interstate 74. Otherwise, North Carolina will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations why they picked such hair-brained numbers.

Blame Congress. They're the ones responsible for the numbers, not NC.

[Strider]

I hope Interstate 73 is built in South Carolina, as well as Interstate 74. Otherwise, North Carolina will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations why they picked such hair-brained numbers.

I hope Interstate 73 is built too, but not so much about I-74 though, and again... Congress chose the numbers, not NC. NC had nothing to do with it in 1990's.

[CanesFan27]

I hope Interstate 73 is built in South Carolina, as well as Interstate 74. Otherwise, North Carolina will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations why they picked such hair-brained numbers.

My three year old son (future generation) loves I-73.  He thinks it's neat.

[74/171FAN]

I hope Interstate 73 is built in South Carolina, as well as Interstate 74. Otherwise, North Carolina will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations why they picked such hair-brained numbers.

My three year old son (future generation) loves I-73.  He thinks it's neat.

I think I loved the I-73 and I-74 numbers until the adult world took a hold on my mind.      

Thinking about it though, the plans for I-73 in SC (combined with SELL (Southern Evacuation Lifeline)) will not truly fix US 501 from Conway to Myrtle Beach itself.   For the record, how used is SC 22 at this point?  (considering I have only traveled the eastern part from SC 31 to US 17)

[Strider]

I hope Interstate 73 is built in South Carolina, as well as Interstate 74. Otherwise, North Carolina will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations why they picked such hair-brained numbers.

My three year old son (future generation) loves I-73.  He thinks it's neat.

I think I loved the I-73 and I-74 numbers until the adult world took a hold on my mind.      

Thinking about it though, the plans for I-73 in SC (combined with SELL (Southern Evacuation Lifeline)) will not truly fix US 501 from Conway to Myrtle Beach itself.   For the record, how used is SC 22 at this point?  (considering I have only traveled the eastern part from SC 31 to US 17)

I don't know because I have not traveled in SC 22 for like a decade. But, I don't understand where the SELL came in? The point of I-73 in SC is to connect Myrtle Beach to the interstate system. But, where does SELL come in?

[TravelingBethelite]

I hope Interstate 73 is built in South Carolina, as well as Interstate 74. Otherwise, North Carolina will have a lot of explaining to do to future generations why they picked such hair-brained numbers.

My three year old son (future generation) loves I-73.  He thinks it's neat.

He loves it because he can't wait to show his great-grandchildren its construction.