Myrtle Beach Invests $592 Million in Road Improvements Through Ride 3 Initiative

Myrtle Beach Rides the Wave of Road Improvements with Ride 3

Progress Update on Horry County’s Penny Tax Initiative

Myrtle Beach, get ready to buckle up because the roads around our beautiful coast are getting some much-needed TLC thanks to the Ride 3 initiative! With a whopping **$592 million** earmarked from the penny tax that’s set to roll in until April 2025, Horry County has already spent **$249,491,712.97** on some serious roadwork.

To put that in perspective, that’s almost **$250 million** pumped into our community to build and improve our highways, thus taking our driving experience to a whole new level. So what does all this money look like from a project standpoint? Let’s break it down!

Road Projects in Motion

The Ride 3 dashboard has our heads spinning with numbers but in a good way! It showcases **14 different road construction projects**, including the successful completion of two major ones:

1. **Carolina Forest Boulevard Widening**
2. **Palmetto Pointe Boulevard Extension to SC Highway 544**

The Carolina Forest Boulevard widening had a budget of **$54.7 million**, but thanks to smart planning, it ended up costing only **$37,506,104.81**! That’s over **$15 million** saved, which is music to our ears!

And it didn’t stop there! The Palmetto Pointe Boulevard extension was budgeted at **$7.5 million** but came in at an impressive **$3,974,891.14**. Talk about getting more bang for our buck!

U.S. Highway 501 Improvements

Now let’s drive over to U.S. Highway 501, where some upgrades are also hitting the gas. This project has several components, and while they didn’t break out the costs for the Postal Way Extension in the most recent update, we do know that the **total budget set aside for all parts was $50 million**. So far, they’ve spent **$27,893,569.73** and things are moving along just fine.

According to the dashboard, the whole improvement project is **“completed on schedule,”** which is fantastic news! The expected budget for the Postal Way extension was **$9 million**, and with expenditures set at around **$7 million**, the project looks to finish strong.

What’s Next for Our Roads?

One of the other exciting projects listed is the **Middle Ridge project**, which was budgeted for **$6.3 million**. So far, they have spent **$17,637,183.07** on it! A little math here shows that they’re dealing with some outstanding right-of-way acquisitions. But hang tight—construction activities have already been completed on **Middle Ridge Avenue** and **the Carolina Forest Shared-Use Path**, so we’re on the right track!

Out of the projects reported, **ten are currently on schedule**. This is great news for residents who are eager to see smoother rides and reduced traffic snarls.

The Road Ahead

As we ride the waves of construction, it’s clear that Horry County is investing significant resources to better our roadways for everyone in Myrtle Beach. With smart budget management and scheduled completions, it looks like our future on the road is bright!

So, whether you’re heading to the beach or taking a drive through town, rest assured that your path is being paved to perfection. Stay tuned for more updates as these projects unfold, and let’s enjoy the fruits of our penny tax that’s paving the way for a better and smoother Myrtle Beach!

Keep your eyes peeled for more road construction news, because this ride is just getting started!