DOT 18-08
Friday, February 8, 2008
Contact: Ian Grossman
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
U.S. Department of Transportation Gives South Carolina the Go-Ahead to Start
Building I-73
WASHINGTON - South Carolina can move forward with plans to build I-73 now that
the U.S. Department of Transportation has approved environmental documents for
the project, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today.
With all federal clearances in place, South Carolina can take the next step to
explore financing options to start constructing this new section of interstate.
“Today this state joins the growing list of places that are embracing new and
innovative approaches to finance transportation projects,” Peters said.
Peters said I-73 in South Carolina was the first project to have a slot reserved
under the Department's new Interstate System Construction Toll Pilot Program,
which gives the state authority for tolling and allows other states to expand
1-73.
Deputy Secretary of Transportation Thomas Barrett announced the news when he
signed the Record of Decision for the project during a visit to Myrtle Beach to
see first hand the congestion chokepoints that the new I-73 would ease.
“The I-73 Corridor will be a critical link tying the Grand Strand to states to
the North,” Barrett said. “It will expand the region’s economy, increase tourism
and enable faster trips to the region.”
“Once completed, the new interstate will allow drivers to connect more easily to
I-95,” Barrett added.