Interstate 73/74

[Bobby5280]

Myrtle Beach may be a pretty significant tourist spot. But I think a lot of the tourists fly there rather than drive. The highway network from Little River down to Murrells Inlet is a mess. US-17 is a slog of traffic signals most of the way.

SC-31 is supposed to function as a freeway bypass around the beach cities. But it wasn't built long enough. Both ends stop too short. It might be possible to extend the NE end of SC-31 to the North Carolina border so it could connect into a future I-74. But it looks like the local and state governments are going to fart around long enough so any upgrade path could be covered up by new housing subdivisions and golf courses. One could argue the Conway Bypass (SC-22) was built in response to the failure to upgrade US-501 into a proper freeway in/out of Myrtle Beach.

Meanwhile, Wilmington is a fairly significant port city. It's value is only going to grow as other cities nearby in North Carolina continue to boom. I-40 is a direct connection to Raleigh & Durham. US-74 is Wilmington's main connection to Charlotte. The segment of US-74 between Wilmington and I-95 would be pretty easy to upgrade to Interstate standards (quite a bit is already that way). US-74 between Charlotte and Rockingham is more of an upgrade challenge.

[PColumbus73]

The route of the SC 31 extension into North Carolina is being worked on, I haven't seen any recent news about a selected route. The extension was included in Horry County's RIDE 3 sales tax ordinance.

A lot of people do end up driving into Myrtle Beach, they usually come from Ohio and Kentucky. Northerners from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland drive down here, too. The Governor and folks in Columbia don't seem to view I-73 as a high priority, but it's reasonable to see why with the ongoing I-85 widening and the I-20/26 interchange getting underway. Not to mention how many complaints there are about I-95.

Secondly regarding I-73, although Horry County has been pushing hard for it. I haven't seen as much enthusiasm from Marion, Marlboro, and Dillon counties. I made a fictional proposal about extending US 13 as an expressway into Horry County, but if South Carolina isn't concerned about building I-73, an expressway between US/I-74 and SC 22 would probably do just as much good as I-73. Or at least act as an interim solution until the state starts actually building the interstate. Then Horry County could fund it under a RIDE 5 and simply coordinate with North Carolina.

[sprjus4]

The route of the SC 31 extension into North Carolina is being worked on, I haven't seen any recent news about a selected route. The extension was included in Horry County's RIDE 3 sales tax ordinance.

A lot of people do end up driving into Myrtle Beach, they usually come from Ohio and Kentucky. Northerners from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland drive down here, too. The Governor and folks in Columbia don't seem to view I-73 as a high priority, but it's reasonable to see why with the ongoing I-85 widening and the I-20/26 interchange getting underway. Not to mention how many complaints there are about I-95.

Secondly regarding I-73, although Horry County has been pushing hard for it. I haven't seen as much enthusiasm from Marion, Marlboro, and Dillon counties. I made a fictional proposal about extending US 13 as an expressway into Horry County, but if South Carolina isn't concerned about building I-73, an expressway between US/I-74 and SC 22 would probably do just as much good as I-73. Or at least act as an interim solution until the state starts actually building the interstate. Then Horry County could fund it under a RIDE 5 and simply coordinate with North Carolina.

Honestly, a route between US-74 and SC-22 would probably be enough. US-74 across North Carolina between I-73 (Rockingham) and where the route would split is largely freeway, and the rest divided highway planned to be upgraded in the future. It's also more direct than I-73 would be, for I-95 northbound traffic.

Obviously I-73 would still be wanted for South Carolina traffic, but it wouldn't be needed really. This connector is significantly less distance and would be a fraction of the cost for SCDOT.

[PColumbus73]

The route of the SC 31 extension into North Carolina is being worked on, I haven't seen any recent news about a selected route. The extension was included in Horry County's RIDE 3 sales tax ordinance.

A lot of people do end up driving into Myrtle Beach, they usually come from Ohio and Kentucky. Northerners from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland drive down here, too. The Governor and folks in Columbia don't seem to view I-73 as a high priority, but it's reasonable to see why with the ongoing I-85 widening and the I-20/26 interchange getting underway. Not to mention how many complaints there are about I-95.

Secondly regarding I-73, although Horry County has been pushing hard for it. I haven't seen as much enthusiasm from Marion, Marlboro, and Dillon counties. I made a fictional proposal about extending US 13 as an expressway into Horry County, but if South Carolina isn't concerned about building I-73, an expressway between US/I-74 and SC 22 would probably do just as much good as I-73. Or at least act as an interim solution until the state starts actually building the interstate. Then Horry County could fund it under a RIDE 5 and simply coordinate with North Carolina.

Honestly, a route between US-74 and SC-22 would probably be enough. US-74 across North Carolina between I-73 (Rockingham) and where the route would split is largely freeway, and the rest divided highway planned to be upgraded in the future. It's also more direct than I-73 would be, for I-95 northbound traffic.

Obviously I-73 would still be wanted for South Carolina traffic, but it wouldn't be needed really. This connector is significantly less distance and would be a fraction of the cost for SCDOT.

Going fictional for a second but relocating I-73 to run generally parallel to NC/SC 410 would probably solve a lot of problems.

-Horry County could get the interstate it wants faster if they chose to fund it themselves.
-South Carolina doesn't have to be bothered as much by Horry County
-It would solve the I-74 dogleg issue

An expressway, maybe as an extension / realignment of 410 would do the same work for less money.

[RoadPelican]

It would be a win-win situation for both states. It would help economic development in Columbus and Robeson County in NC.

I say make a freeway along the NC/SC 410 corridor and then bring it along US 701 thru Loris, SC and connect it with the SC 22 expressway.

[Strider]

I agree about using SC/NC-410 corridor for a freeway to link up I/US-74 and SC 22, whether it is an expressway, I-73, I-74, I-x74 or both.

[thenetwork]

As a person who always drove down to Myrtle Beach from I-77 in Ohio, there is no easy way to get to Myrtle Beach from I-77. 

There are multiple combinations of roads you can take from I-77 between the VA/NC line and Columbia, but nothing is really faster than the others -- at least that was the case 20-some odd years ago.

It would be nice to finally get a single limited-access route you could take from I-77 to Myrtle Beach, or darn near close to it.  And with all the freeway building North Carolina has done in the past 30 years, you'd think it would have been done by now.

[english si]

And with all the freeway building North Carolina has done in the past 30 years, you'd think it would have been done by now.

Except Myrtle Beach is in South Carolina and they are the delay...

[brian440i]

Myrtle Beach is not the Delay...  South Carolina is the Delay.
If I recall Horry COunty already had 160 Million set aside for the Carolina Parkway and Sales Tax for their portion of I-73 to edge of County (AKA the Little Pee Dee River Flood Plain)

Myrtle Beach has the funds... which is why it would be better for them to focus on a route to N.C.  If they design it.... S.C. Legislatures might be offended enough to pay for the connection to I-95 instead.

S.C. pays for their roads partial State and partial County.  And the Next County over just doe not have funds to build roads.  N.C. funds all these roads through the State.  The concept of County paying for roads is such as odd concept to me.. but Horry county has their funding mechanism.

[sprjus4]

As a person who always drove down to Myrtle Beach from I-77 in Ohio, there is no easy way to get to Myrtle Beach from I-77. 

There are multiple combinations of roads you can take from I-77 between the VA/NC line and Columbia, but nothing is really faster than the others -- at least that was the case 20-some odd years ago.

It would be nice to finally get a single limited-access route you could take from I-77 to Myrtle Beach, or darn near close to it.  And with all the freeway building North Carolina has done in the past 30 years, you'd think it would have been done by now.

I-74 says hello. The only missing piece is less than 10 miles to the SC border (whether that be planned I-73 south of Rockingham or a hypothetical freeway along NC-410), which NCDOT is not going to build until South Carolina begins construction.

30 years ago, the majority of the route did not exist. Large portions south of Asheboro have since been built, along with the Rockingham Bypass, the portion between Asheboro and Winston-Salem, and now the Winston-Salem bypass under construction. North Carolina has done a significant amount of work, South Carolina has done a total of zero miles.

[WashuOtaku]

I-74 says hello. The only missing piece is less than 10 miles to the SC border (whether that be planned I-73 south of Rockingham or a hypothetical freeway along NC-410), which NCDOT is not going to build until South Carolina begins construction.

30 years ago, the majority of the route did not exist. Large portions south of Asheboro have since been built, along with the Rockingham Bypass, the portion between Asheboro and Winston-Salem, and now the Winston-Salem bypass under construction. North Carolina has done a significant amount of work, South Carolina has done a total of zero miles.

That is not entirely true. Every time the Federal government allocated funds for I-73/I-74 for South Carolina, they promptly used it to draw plans, rework the plans, and update the plans. 

[thenetwork]

I-74 says hello. The only missing piece is less than 10 miles to the SC border (whether that be planned I-73 south of Rockingham or a hypothetical freeway along NC-410), which NCDOT is not going to build until South Carolina begins construction.

30 years ago, the majority of the route did not exist. Large portions south of Asheboro have since been built, along with the Rockingham Bypass, the portion between Asheboro and Winston-Salem, and now the Winston-Salem bypass under construction. North Carolina has done a significant amount of work, South Carolina has done a total of zero miles.

That is not entirely true. Every time the Federal government allocated funds for I-73/I-74 for South Carolina, they promptly used it to draw plans, rework the plans, and update the plans. 

Is North Carolina the only state that uses the same route number for an interstate, US and State Highway (I-74/US-74/NC-74)?

[Mapmikey]

Is North Carolina the only state that uses the same route number for an interstate, US and State Highway (I-74/US-74/NC-74)?

Illinois has all 3 types of route 41.

If you count TX Spur 69, then yes for Texas too. 

Otherwise there is no TX 69, IL 24, or WI 41.

[The Ghostbuster]

There was a STH 41 in Wisconsin prior to the commissioning of the US Highway System (1917-1926). It followed present-day US 14 from La Crosse to Madison, and present-day US 18 from Madison to Milwaukee. Wisconsin did not allow route number duplication until Interstate 39 was designated in Wisconsin in 1992 (the route wasn't signposted until 1996).

[Molandfreak]

Is North Carolina the only state that uses the same route number for an interstate, US and State Highway (I-74/US-74/NC-74)?

Illinois has all 3 types of route 41.

If you count TX Spur 69, then yes for Texas too. 

Otherwise there is no TX 69, IL 24, or WI 41.

Or AR 49.

[Rothman]

Although my great-uncle owned a motel in Myrtle Beach, I'm still stupefied by the constant draw from Appalachia.

Similar to how DC people seem to only go to Ocean City or Florida on vacation...I just don't understand only thinking of vacation to the same old place time and time again.

[thenetwork]

Although my great-uncle owned a motel in Myrtle Beach, I'm still stupefied by the constant draw from Appalachia.

Similar to how DC people seem to only go to Ocean City or Florida on vacation...I just don't understand only thinking of vacation to the same old place time and time again.

I think one reason is because Virginia Beach, for example, is a slog to reach from the northwest and west -- Especially if you have use any freeway where there is a lot of Washington DC commuter traffic.

[Dirt Roads]

Although my great-uncle owned a motel in Myrtle Beach, I'm still stupefied by the constant draw from Appalachia.

Similar to how DC people seem to only go to Ocean City or Florida on vacation...I just don't understand only thinking of vacation to the same old place time and time again.

I think one reason is because Virginia Beach, for example, is a slog to reach from the northwest and west -- especially if you have use any freeway where there is a lot of Washington DC commuter traffic.

I have also travelled to 37 other states and six other countries. Myrtle Beach is the closest ocean to my house. I can get there in 13 hours. It is affordable. It is family-friendly. I have made many friends and memories there. That is why it is so popular.

I was just using my experience to write about the highways to the area. This is a roads forum.

It is fair to say that back in the days before before the Interstates were complete that Myrtle Beach was the closest ocean beach to Ohio and much of West Virginia, Kentucky and Michigan.  (I should caveat that Atlantic City and Rehobeth were technically closer, but probably didn't qualify as family friendly - or warm enough).

Nowadays, from most of those places you can get to Wrightsville Beach and Topsail faster than to Myrtle, and Carolina Beach about the same as Myrtle.  From Lexington KY, only Wrightsville is faster than to Myrtle (but Pensacola is pretty close as well).

I'm not surprised that the faster route to Myrtle Beach is now NC-38/SC-38, but getting to North Myrtle the best way is still NC-410/US-701.

[brian440i]

I-73 News:
I do not think I have seen this mentioned on the thread but I believe NC DOT is replacing Two Bridges in Rockingham County in 2025 over future US220/Future I-73.

1. NC DOT is replacing the US311 Bridge over 220 (Future I-73) (Show in STIP as I-5898 and Bridge is 780074)

I-5898 0.541 MI DRAINAGE, GRADING,
PAVING, SIGNALS,
STRUCTURES
FUTURE I-73 / US 220 AT US 311 / NC 135 INTERCHANGE.
REPLACE BRIDGE 780074 AND UPGRADE INTERCHANGE.
46860.3.1
C205018
ROCKINGHAM
LATEST PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE: $23,000,000 (6/19/24)
DIVISION DESIGN RALEIGH LET (DDRL)
404/401 PERMITS (REQUIRED) ROW CERTIFICATION (IN) UTILITY
CERTIFICATION (REQUIRED) RAILROAD CERTIFICATION (REQUIRED)
BRANDON GREEN
REGIONAL

TENTATIVE LETTING : TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
PS&E TURN IN DATE : TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
PS&E REVIEW DATE : TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025


but also

2. Appears the River Road Bridge has a tentative Let Date in 2025.  Says State Route 2150 which is River Road but Google Maps calls it State Route 2153 once River Rd intersects Grogan Road SR2153.  I did confirm on "NCDOT Structures" that the Bridge over US220/US311 is list as "0123"

BR-0141 0.000 MI DRAINAGE, GRADING,
PAVING, STRUCTURE
REPLACE 780123 ON SR2150 OVER US220, US311
67141.3.1
FA#: 5160401
ROCKINGHAM
LATEST PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE: $13,500,000 (9/17/24) (STATE BRIDGE PROGRAM)
DIVISION DESIGN RALEIGH LET (DDRL)
404/401 PERMITS (REQUIRED) ROW CERTIFICATION (REQUIRED)
DANIEL DAGENHART
DIVISION

Let Date Below:
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
TENTATIVE LETTING : TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025
PS&E TURN IN DATE : TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
PS&E REVIEW DATE : TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025

[Henry]

Although my great-uncle owned a motel in Myrtle Beach, I'm still stupefied by the constant draw from Appalachia.

Similar to how DC people seem to only go to Ocean City or Florida on vacation...I just don't understand only thinking of vacation to the same old place time and time again.

I think one reason is because Virginia Beach, for example, is a slog to reach from the northwest and west -- Especially if you have use any freeway where there is a lot of Washington DC commuter traffic.

Same can apply to the Hamptons, where the wealthiest either commute to or from New York City and back.

[Rothman]

Although my great-uncle owned a motel in Myrtle Beach, I'm still stupefied by the constant draw from Appalachia.

Similar to how DC people seem to only go to Ocean City or Florida on vacation...I just don't understand only thinking of vacation to the same old place time and time again.

I think one reason is because Virginia Beach, for example, is a slog to reach from the northwest and west -- Especially if you have use any freeway where there is a lot of Washington DC commuter traffic.

Same can apply to the Hamptons, where the wealthiest either commute to or from New York City and back.

I'm not so sure this is true.

[english si]

I'm not so sure this is true.

While people do commute the 80 miles from Southampton into London, they probably don't commute the 90 miles from Southampton into New York - it takes twice as long - 2 hours 22 (driving or train) for the US journey vs 1 hour 11 (the once-a-day crack express train, otherwise 1h20 by train or 2 hours by car) for the UK journey.

I guess you could have the commute in and stay over in the city model. And, of course, the really wealthy people can chopper in less time.

[Rothman]

Just saying that from the couple of people I know that have a place in the Hamptons, they maintain a residence in the City itself to prevent commuting.

[Strider]

I-73 News:
I do not think I have seen this mentioned on the thread but I believe NC DOT is replacing Two Bridges in Rockingham County in 2025 over future US220/Future I-73.

1. NC DOT is replacing the US311 Bridge over 220 (Future I-73) (Show in STIP as I-5898 and Bridge is 780074)

I-5898 0.541 MI DRAINAGE, GRADING,
PAVING, SIGNALS,
STRUCTURES
FUTURE I-73 / US 220 AT US 311 / NC 135 INTERCHANGE.
REPLACE BRIDGE 780074 AND UPGRADE INTERCHANGE.
46860.3.1
C205018
ROCKINGHAM
LATEST PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE: $23,000,000 (6/19/24)
DIVISION DESIGN RALEIGH LET (DDRL)
404/401 PERMITS (REQUIRED) ROW CERTIFICATION (IN) UTILITY
CERTIFICATION (REQUIRED) RAILROAD CERTIFICATION (REQUIRED)
BRANDON GREEN
REGIONAL

TENTATIVE LETTING : TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
PS&E TURN IN DATE : TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
PS&E REVIEW DATE : TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025


but also

2. Appears the River Road Bridge has a tentative Let Date in 2025.  Says State Route 2150 which is River Road but Google Maps calls it State Route 2153 once River Rd intersects Grogan Road SR2153.  I did confirm on "NCDOT Structures" that the Bridge over US220/US311 is list as "0123"

BR-0141 0.000 MI DRAINAGE, GRADING,
PAVING, STRUCTURE
REPLACE 780123 ON SR2150 OVER US220, US311
67141.3.1
FA#: 5160401
ROCKINGHAM
LATEST PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE: $13,500,000 (9/17/24) (STATE BRIDGE PROGRAM)
DIVISION DESIGN RALEIGH LET (DDRL)
404/401 PERMITS (REQUIRED) ROW CERTIFICATION (REQUIRED)
DANIEL DAGENHART
DIVISION

Let Date Below:
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
TENTATIVE LETTING : TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025
PS&E TURN IN DATE : TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
PS&E REVIEW DATE : TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025

Yeah, that is a part of their "very slow" plan on upgrading US-220 to I-73. They're also replacing some bridges along US-220/Future I-73 between US-311 Eden exit and VA State line.

They're currently replacing the Smith Rd bridge (last exit on US-220/Future I-73 before they enter Virginia).

They just finished the NC-770 and bridges that goes over the train tracks right before the Stoneville Exit. The Stoneville exit (Business US-220) exit bridges were already finished.

With these projects about to start, the only thing they need to do is replace the US-311/NC-704/Business US-220 bridge. I don't know when they will actually start upgrading US-220 to I-73 from NC-68 (Exit 123) to VA border though.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Just looked up the Rockingham bypass in Apple Maps.

They have it signed as US 74....