A quarterly e-newsletter providing information about infrastructure projects coordinated by Horry County, including those within the RIDE Program. | | |
Since 1996, the Road Improvement & Development Effort, commonly referred to as RIDE, has paved the way for more reliable infrastructure and transportation in Horry County.
As Horry County enters this next chapter of infrastructure improvement with the commencement of RIDE 4, we remain committed to providing regular updates on the road improvement initiative.
Collections for the latest RIDE installment began on May 1, 2025 as the RIDE 3 collection period came to an end. The one-cent sales tax will continue to collect funds for additional improvements through 2050. Over this period, RIDE 4 is estimated to generate $6 billion in revenue.
This quarterly newsletter, Future in Focus, was developed to keep our community informed on all progress related to RIDE.
| | New Website Available to Track RIDE Progress | | |
As RIDE 4 begins, Horry County is also enhancing the online resources available to those we serve.
In May, a new website was launched to track the progress of all RIDE projects.
| |
The site was designed to ensure transparency with taxpayers and educate the community on all initiatives included in the 25-year improvement plan.
This website will grow to include other road projects in the county, not just those under the RIDE Program.
The new website can be accessed here.
Significant features of this online tool include, but are not limited to:
- Current Project Search
- Past Project Search
- Future Project Search
- Interactive Project Map
- A summary of the processes followed to build a road
- Information on upcoming community meetings
- Ability to submit feedback
The video tutorial below will help you navigate the new website.
| | Road Talks - Letters from County Leaders | | David Gilreath, P.E. - Assistant County Administrator, Infrastructure & Regulation Division | | | | |
Dear Horry County Residents and Partners,
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Future in Focus - a quarterly newsletter dedicated to communicating updates on the significant infrastructure improvements underway in Horry County. These updates will include not only roads, but also new county buildings, parks, walking paths, and even our beaches.
The RIDE (Road Improvement and Development Effort) Program continues to serve as a cornerstone of Horry County's transportation initiatives. With each completed project, we are enhancing mobility throughout our thriving community and improving the overall quality of life for our residents and visitors.
| | |
Current projects under construction are the extension of the Widening of Hwy 501, Fred Nash Boulevard, Hwy 501 Realignment (Myrtle Beach), Hwy 701 Widening (Loris), Hwy 9 Business Widening (Loris), and Hwy 701N (Conway).
Current projects under design include Forestbrook Road Widening, Conway Perimeter Road, Hwy 22 Extension, New Hwy 31 Interchange at Augusta Plantation/Revolutionary War Way, and Hwy 31 North Extension.
| Horry County is also working on the construction of new fire stations, paving multiple county dirt roads, solid waste convenience centers, road resurfacing, flood mitigation projects, and a county services building. At the same time, more of the above are in design, along with new sidewalks, parks, boat landings, multi-use paths, flood mitigation projects, as well as others. We will also be providing updates on these projects as we move forward. | | |
Through careful planning, responsible stewardship of public resources and strong collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, we are shaping a roadway system, county facilities, and community assets that meet today's needs while preparing for our future.
On behalf of myself and the entire Infrastructure & Regulation Division, we look forward to continuing our commitment to maintaining and enhancing infrastructure to sustain Horry County’s future.
Sincerely,
David Gilreath, P.E.
Assistant County Administrator
Infrastructure & Regulation Division
| | RIDE 4, which was approved by voters in the November 2024 election, contains a lengthy list of road improvements for both drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. | | |
Regional Projects
New Connectivity
- SC Hwy 22 Extension from US Hwy 501 (near Aynor) to Surfside / Murrells Inlet Area
- New Conway River Crossing ‐ New Highway Across Waccamaw River
- Interstate Connector from SC Hwy 22 to Marion County Line (Local Matching Funds)
- SC Hwy 31 Interchange with Augusta Planation Drive / Revolutionary War Way (Hospitality Project Financial Backstop)
Complete Streets and Multimodal Projects
- Kings Hwy ‐ Farrow Pkwy to 31st Ave North
- Waccamaw Drive / Atlantic Ave in Garden City (Hospitality Project Financial Backstop)
- Mass Transit
Intersection / Interchange Improvements
- US Hwy 17 Bypass / Robert Grissom Parkway Interchange
- Robert Edge Parkway / Sandridge Road Connector
- Possum Trot Road Extension
- US Hwy 501 Bypass ‐ New Off‐Ramp to 3rd Avenue and Marina Drive in Conway
- US Hwy 501 at SC Hwy 319 Acceleration Lane
| |  | |
Major Widening Projects
- SC Hwy 90 from East Cox Ferry Road to Little River
- East Cox Ferry Road
- River Oaks Drive
- US Hwy 17 in Windy Hill
- 38th Avenue North
- Seaboard Street
- Big Block Road
- Cultra Road
- US Hwy 701 from SC Hwy 22 to SC Hwy 410
- US Hwy 701 from SC Hwy 9 Bypass to NC State Line
| |
Major Improvement Projects
- Barefoot Landing Swing Bridge Replacement over Intracoastal Waterway
- Hardwick Road
- Pave 200 Miles of Dirt Roads
- Resurface 400 Miles of Existing Roadway
-
Local Intersection Safety and Capacity Improvements: 20 locations ‐ ($15 M / each) ‐individual project locations to be determined by future studies
-
Local Transportation Enhancement Improvements: 20 locations ‐ ($15 M / each) ‐individual project locations to be determined by future studies
| | | |
While the collection period for RIDE 4 just got started, initial funding is already available to complete the early planning stages of these projects.
During a Horry County Council Meeting on June 17, 2025, County leaders voted in favor of Resolution R-91-2025, allowing the transfer of up to $45,000,000 from revenues collected in excess of those required for completion of RIDE 2 Capital Project Sales Tax projects to the RIDE 4 Transportation Sales Tax Fund. This decision will help expedite the design, permitting and construction of the RIDE 4 project list.
| | |
While the tax collection period for projects under RIDE 3 has expired, work continues to make the improvements under that plan come to fruition.
Work remains on schedule for several road construction projects including:
| |
- Extension of SC Hwy. 31 to SC/NC State Line
- Southern Evacuation Lifeline (SELL) – Environmental Studies and Right-of-Way
- Conway Perimeter Road Phase II
- U.S. Hwy. 701 Widening – North of Loris
-
U.S. Hwy. 501 Realignment from Broadway Street to 7th Avenue North
| | |
- Forestbrook Road Widening
- Fred Nash Boulevard Connection to Harrelson Boulevard (Myrtle Beach)
- U.S. Hwy. 701 N. Widening (North Conway)
- SC Hwy. 9 East Widening (Loris)
- U.S. Hwy. 501 Widening from SC Hwy. 31 to SC 54
| | |
Under RIDE 3, improvements are also planned for three intersections on U.S. 17 Business in Garden City. Once finished, residents can expect upgrades at the following intersections: Inlet Square Mall and Mt. Gilead Road, Atlantic Avenue, and Garden City Connector and Pine Avenue.
RIDE 3 is also responsible for funding the paving of 100 miles of dirt roads. This portion of the initiative is divided into four groups.
At this time, Groups 1 and 2 are complete. Crews have begun construction on several roads within Group 3 of the initiative, including Olin Road and Hufford Road in the Loris area, and Norris Road in the Conway area.
| | |
Road construction projects already completed under RIDE 3 include:
- U.S. Hwy 501 Corridor Improvements (Postal Way & Middle Ridge Avenue extensions. Carolina Forest Boulevard shared use path.)
| | - Palmetto Pointe Boulevard Extension to SC Hwy. 544
| | - Carolina Forest Boulevard Widening
| - Resurfacing of 100 miles of paved roads in various jurisdictions
| |
Upcoming Events & Public Information Meetings
Going forward, as events and public information meetings are scheduled related to infrastructure projects and programs in Horry County, details and any related attachments will be provided in this section.
Meeting details are also available online here.
---
Information about SCDOT public comment and meeting notices for all counties in South Carolina can be found on the SCDOT website.
---
| | |
Want to learn more about the history of Horry County's RIDE programs?
Check out the Horry County Roads website or watch the YouTube video below.
| | |
Find more about overall Horry County meetings and events on our website.
In addition to Future in Focus, community members and visitors can register to receive the Weekly Update each Friday in your email inbox. Sign up for updates here.
| | For media inquiries, please contact the Horry County Public Information Office. | | | | |
