Monday, January 23, 2006

Palmetto Views: Carolina Bays Parkway




The next few posts will contain some of my pictures south of the border. No not Mexico. I'm talking about South Carolina. Prepare for a look at how the roads in the Palmetto State are unique.

The Myrtle Beach Area has welcomed many things such as Black Biker Week, the Shag, and etc. But recently, new roads have been popping up. One of them is the Carolina Bays Parkway (Not to be confused with Carolina Circle).

The first segment of the Carolina Bays Parkway (SC-31) from SC-9 in North Myrtle Beach to US-501 in Myrtle Beach opened on December 17, 2002. It serves as a great shortcut from North Myrtle Beach to the Tanger Outlet Center, Restaurant Row, and Pavilion area of Myrtle Beach.

The second segment from US-501 in Myrtle Beach to Georgetown opened on December 15, 2004. It now serves as an ultra convienent bypass completely around Myrtle Beach.

Is this the end of the Carolina Bays Parkway? Probably not. Interstate 74 is planned to have its terminus at the Grand Strand. Already, plans are in the works to extend the Carolina Bays Parkway into North Carolina. I-74 would enter South Carolina on the Carolina Bays Parkway and follow the parkway to the Conway Bypass (SC-22). It would then follow the bypass eastward toward the coast and end at US-17. Also, plans are also in the works for the North Myrtle Beach Connector. It would run from the Carolina Bays Parkway to Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. It would be numbered "Interstate 174".

Remember, these are just plans. As long as North Carolina goes ahead with this plan, Interstate 74 will serve in the Grand Strand.

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