Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) | Courtesy of the U.S. Senate
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) | Courtesy of the U.S. Senate
South Carolina officials are showing support for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's request of $12 million for the development of Interstate 73 from the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Graham, who currently has an active role on the committee to which he has made the request, said he believes the project will benefit the state greatly in the future.
"I am aggressively pursuing funding for I-73. I believe it is a critical infrastructure project for the Grand Strand and the state of South Carolina as a whole," Graham tweeted.
State officials told WMBF News that they hope the new I-73 infrastructure — a northwest-southeast interstate highway linking Grand Strand to I-95 near Pee Dee — will aid in safer travel during emergencies, such as hurricanes, in addition to benefiting the state's tourism industry.
“Interstate 73 continues to be important for a lot of reasons, and tourism is just one of them,” Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, told WMBF News. “The chamber has been a huge advocate for I-73, for so many years because we see it as a major way to create more economic development and diversification which our area needs."
WMBF also reported a statement released by the senator's office that states that the estimated overall cost is closer to $15 million, however, local and state officials will be responsible for the remaining costs if his request is approved.
The project will introduce 29,000 jobs into the Grand Strand and Pee Dee areas as well.
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