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Purpose and Need
Northern Corridor Nav

Northern Project

The need for an interstate system connecting to the Grand Strand has been recognized for many years. Interstate 73 would link I-95, and areas west, with one of the nation's fastest-growing tourist destinations. Approximately 13 million tourists visit the Grand Strand each year, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the state's tourism revenues. More than 80 percent of the tourists use the state's road system to reach their destination. Populations along the SC coast continue to grow at a fast rate.

Interstate 73 would support economic growth and regional competitiveness for the State of South Carolina.

I-73 would fulfill Congressional intent that the new route would become part of our nation's interstate system as a controlled access facility. A controlled access facility means that the public will gain access to the interstate utilizing interchanges.

The Purpose And Need Statement for this project has been developed based on input the Project Team received from the public during the Public Scoping Meetings, as well as from the involved regulatory and resource agencies.

Purpose and Need Statement

Project Purpose

The purpose of the proposed project is to provide an interstate link between proposed I-73, I-95, and the North Carolina I-73/I-74 corridor to serve residents, businesses, and travelers while fulfilling congressional intent in an environmentally responsible and community sensitive manner.

Project Need

The following primary and secondary needs have been identified in connection with the proposed federal action, which are in accordance with FHWA guidelines. The degree to which the project will serve the primary needs identified below will receive greater emphasis than the secondary needs in the alternatives and impacts analysis.

Primary Needs:

  • System Linkage – Improve national and regional connectivity of northeastern South Carolina by providing a direct link between proposed I-73 and I-95 in Dillon County and the I-73/I-74 Corridor in North Carolina
  • Economic Development – Enhance economic opportunities and development in South Carolina.

Secondary Needs:

  • Improved Access for Tourism – This project would allow improved access to and from tourist destinations in the eastern part of South Carolina as well as the Hamlet area in North Carolina.
  • Increased Safety on Existing Roads – This project would increase the safety of the current roads through the project area by moving a significant volume of local, out-of-state, and commercial traffic to an interstate designed for a higher volume of traffic.
  • Multimodal Planning – This project would accommodate the future provision of a multimodal facility within the interstate corridor.
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