About the Project
Interstate 73 was identified as a high priority route from Michigan to South Carolina in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Equity Act (ISTEA) that the US Congress passed in 1991. This Website provides information regarding the portion of Interstate located in South Carolina.
The study area for I-73 in South Carolina followed the Great Pee Dee River to US 378 west of Conway, traveled along US 378 to US 501 and followed US 501 to the coast. It then proceeded up the coast to the North Carolina state line and then ran along the state line to the northwest corner of Scotland County, North Carolina. It extended along the Scotland and Rockingham County line to the northern side of I-74 in Rockingham County, then west along US 1 to the floodplain of the Great Pee Dee River. This study area was divided into two projects. The Northern Project ties to Interstate 73/74 in the Rockingham/Hamlet, North Carolina region and runs south across the South Carolina/North Carolina state line through Marlboro and Dillon Counties to a connection at Interstate 95. The Southern Project continues from Interstate 95 and runs to State Route 22 (Conway Bypass, or Veteran's Highway) in the Myrtle Beach/Conway area. The Northern and Southern Projects are shown in the maps to the right.
A Clean Water Act Section 401/404 permit application for impacts from the I-73 project on wetlands, streams, and other jurisdictional waters, was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) on June 19, 2017.
I-73 South
Construction plans for Phase 1 of I-73 South, which extends from I-95 to US Route 501, are currently being finalized. Right of way acquisitions are complete for this segment, and this phase of the project will be shovel ready by the end of 2024.
Right of way plans are complete for Phase 2 of I-73 South, which extends from US 501 to the Marion/Horry County line. Right of way acquisitions are nearly complete for this phase.
Right of way plans are complete for Phase 3 of I-73 South, which extends from the Marion/Horry County line to SC 22. Right of way acquisitions were initiated on the northern section of this phase in early 2024 and will continue throughout the corridor through 2025.
Funding has not been identified to advance construction on any of the three phases of I-73 South.
I-73 North
Conceptual plans are complete for I-73 North. Advancement of this phase of work is temporarily on hold pending the allocation of additional funding.
Additional information regarding both the Northern Project and the Southern Project is available on their respective pages.
The SCDOT Right of Way Acquisition Process
The PDF "Highways and You" provides answers to your questions about Public Hearings, Right of Way acquisitions and Relocation Assistance.