Feb. 25, 2005

www.i-73sc.com

Preliminary Path of I-73 Selected

Final path to be determined soon
At the I-73 stakeholders meeting held Feb. 24, at Coastal Carolina University, S.C. Department of Transportation officials and the LPA group announced the I-73 study area east of I-95 has been narrowed to a few very specific areas in Marion and Horry counties. The meeting followed a successful North Carolina and South Carolina border agreement that was reached after a summit held Feb. 11 (see below-Interstate Deal Reached). Attendees at the stakeholders meeting were shown various routes of I-73 that all connected I-95 with S.C. 22 (Veterans Highway). Several routes also closely followed U.S. 501, however, no preferred path was identified. Several factors, including environmental impact and the presence of historical landmarks, were considered when selecting these alternative routes.

Where Will I-73 be Built?

Help select the final path of this critical project. Two public information meetings will be held in March, providing SCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration with an opportunity to gather input from residents and businesses.

March 8 - 4-7 p.m., Dillon High School (1730 U.S. 301 N.)
March 10 – 4-7 p.m., Myrtle Beach High School (3302 Robert Grissom Parkway)

Your attendance at one or both of these meetings is crucial.

Interstate Deal Reached

The Carolinas I-73 Transportation Summit, held in Myrtle Beach Feb. 11, yielded an important milestone for I-73. After many attempts and numerous discussions, transportation officials from North and South Carolina finally agreed upon a proposed entry point into our state, ensuring that I-73 will enter South Carolina slightly east of the original proposed point near U.S. 1 in Wallace, S.C. The new agreement calls for I-73 to enter the state in the area of S.C. 38 with the road closely following that highway until it reaches I-95. North Carolina will build a 3.7-mile link to the state line from the existing I-74 south of Rockingham, N.C., and agreed to do so in a timely fashion. In return, South Carolina will build about a 5-mile link from S.C. 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) to the North Carolina border to connect with the planned route of I-74. Both roads could ultimately benefit the Grand Strand by attracting new jobs, bringing more visitors and enabling easier, quicker evacuation during pending hurricanes. Read More

S.C. I-73 Association Making an Impact

Leaders from both North Carolina and South Carolina were quick to credit the S.C. I-73 Association for the summit’s success. The association was formed in December 2003 due to the lack of progress seen on I-73 and concerns about losing the corridor altogether. Little more than one year later, the association, in tandem with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and NESA, is making a difference by continuing to influence local, state and national leaders of the importance of
I-73.

S.C. I-73 Chairman Rep. Alan Clemmons noted its importance at the recent Carolinas I-73 Transportation Summit. "The members of the South Carolina I-73 Association are to be credited for their vision, their commitment and their action," Rep. Clemmons said. "Because of them, the many events we've held and the lobbying we've undertaken is making a difference. This association's work has been vital to our progress thus far but we can't stop now."

Lyndo Tippett, North Carolina secretary of transportation, praised the association by noting, “This is the way to get things done.”

Rep. Clemmons reminded summit attendees that it is time for members to renew but, more importantly, to help recruit new members. For a small investment, I-73 supporters can unite in support and join the association. For membership information, call Amie Lee, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, at (843) 916-7238.

TEA-21 Reauthorization Bill Introduced in House

Administration releases 2006 budget
Both Congress and the administration have begun to move forward in an effort to complete reauthorization of federal highway and public transit legislation, TEA-21.

On Feb. 7, Pres. Bush submitted his fiscal year 2006 budget. In the budget, the administration increased its TEA-21 reauthorization funding levels from $256 billion over six years to $284 billion. This $28 billion increase is due to the efforts of congressional transportation leaders and the members of ATM and other interest groups highlighting the importance of transportation investment.

In response to the administration's proposal, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced a six-year highway and transit-funding bill that would guarantee $284 billion through 2009. The bipartisan legislation, (H.R. 3) Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU), is expected to be marked up by the full transportation committee before the President's Day recess and reach the House floor in early March. The bill includes the same policy provisions as last year's House bill ( H.R. 3550) and is actually a $4.5 billion increase over the bill that the House passed.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to move forward with its bill, also similar to the bill
(S. 1072 ) that passed 76-21 in February 2004. Senate action will take place in March.

President Bush Releases 2006 Budget

Earlier this month, President Bush released the 2006 budget. In addition to the proposed increase for surface transportation, other transportation highlights include:

The budget proposes cutting Airport Improvement Grants by $500 million to an even $3 billion. The budget proposes a total obligation limitation for the federal aid highway program of $34.7 billion in FY 2006. The budget proposes total spending on Federal Transit Administration programs of $7.781 billion in FY 2006.
The budget proposes a reduction in Army Corps civil works projects, which fund river and harbor dredging
by $300 million to $4.5 billion.

Legislative Agenda (More Bill Tracking)

Bill Name	Summary of Bill	Chamber's Position	Status
State Legislation
Sale of Alcoholic Liquor
S19	Bill pertaining to alcoholic liquors and beverages - regulates liquor sale in containers of such size as the General Assembly considers appropriate. Highlights: 5 percent cocktail tax replaces 25 cent minibottle tax; 11 percent of revenue to go to counties for alcohol rehabilitation and education programs.	The chamber supports these regulations.	Referred to Judiciary Committee
Uniform Start Date for Schools
S54 H3248	Bill to establish that the start date for elementary and secondary schools of this state must not be set earlier than Aug. 25 of each year and to provide that the school end date must not be set more than seven days after the last day of the Palmetto Achievement Challenge test. Requires Education Oversight Committee to recommend a uniform school start date and assess this in relation to the PACT. Includes a penalty for schools starting early.	The chamber supports this bill.	Referred to Education Committee Referred to Education Committee
Tort Reform
S2 S81 S82 S83 S84 H3008	Various provisions of the Economic Development, Citizens and Small Business Protection Act of 2005, which provides diverse measures of tort reform. Includes various provisions relating to liability for damage, wrongful death; frivolous lawsuit sanctions; elimination of joint and several liability.	The chamber supports meaningful tort reform, including the amount of money spent on tort claims.	Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee S 83 passed the Senate Passed the House
MAP Testing
H3225	Requires Measures of Academic Progress diagnostic testing statewide.	The chamber supports this measure.	Referred to House Education Committee
Highway Funding
H 3134 H 3137 H 3220 H 3296	Various measures to alter and/or increase state highway funding.	The chamber desires highway funding for new projects.	Referred to Ways and Means Committee
Federal Legislation
Surface Transportation Legislation
HR-3	Funds 6-year reauthorization of highway bill.	The chamber supports this measure, which includes interstate funding.	Will be introduced in the U.S. House next week
S352	Allows students previously working summer jobs to return to same employer.	The chamber supports this measure.	Could be introduced in the U.S. Senate in the next few weeks