Exciting Progress on Myrtle Beach’s New Ocean Outfall!
Hey Myrtle Beach! We’ve got some fantastic updates on the ongoing construction of our fifth ocean outfall, and it looks like things are moving along nicely, thanks to a generous helping of sunshine! ☀️
Sunshine and Smooth Sailing
According to city officials, we’ve been enjoying great weather for the past four to five weeks, which has allowed the contractors to make good progress on the project. Chris Miller, the city’s infrastructure projects manager, shared in a Facebook update that “there’s been no wind for the crane to shut down or inclement weather for the workers to take a day off.” This is one of those rare times where Mother Nature is actually being our friend!
What’s Happening Right Now?
As part of this project, a beach access point at 24th Avenue N has been closed to the public since Thursday. Also, you might notice some closures around North Ocean Boulevard and Withers Drive as construction crews set up a laydown yard for materials and equipment. This setup is expected to keep that beach access point closed through early 2026, so plan accordingly if you’re headed that way!
What’s Being Built?
Once it’s all said and done, we’re looking at an impressive 84-inch diameter pipe that will extend 1,500 feet into the ocean. Now that’s a big project! The goal of adding this new outfall system is to improve our stormwater management, something Myrtle Beach has been focusing on since the late 1990s.
A Look Back at the Investment
You might be wondering how much has actually gone into keeping our stormwater systems up to snuff. Well, the city has invested more than $75 million over the years, with four existing deepwater outfalls already in place at 25th Ave. S, 4th Ave. N, 14th Ave. N, and 53rd Ave. N. Talk about a commitment to keeping our beautiful beaches and community free from flooding!
What’s Next?
As for when everything will be wrapped up, construction is expected to be complete sometime in 2026. It’s nice to see progress being made sooner rather than later, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted on any updates as they come along. It’s important to keep our beaches clean and enjoyable, and this project will definitely contribute to that goal.
Conclusion
So, Myrtle Beach, stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the gorgeous weather sticks around to support the hard work of everyone involved. In the meantime, don’t forget to plan your beach visits accordingly with those access point closures in mind.
Until next time, keep sandy toes and sunny skies in your heart! 🌞🏖️
