MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce leaders met Thursday with a representative from their national counterpart to discuss a highway and transit bill, and in turn I-73.
Brad Dean, MBACC president, said the meeting was aimed at sharing the importance of the interstate with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. A goal was also to hear how to help the organization get a bill passed in Congress.
U.S. Chamber Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Alex Herrgott said the current bill that funds major road projects runs out in March and it's his goal to see a new one passed. Herrgott says it's the safest way to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
"There is no other specific legislative action that Congress can take than a highway and transit bill in the next couple months to turn the economy around," Herrgott said.
He said a guarantee of funding from the federal government would allow states to move on projects like I-73.
"It would give states the confidence that they have a strong federal partner and that gas tax dollars that people contribute are going to be spent wisely," said Herrgott.
Dean wants to make sure South Carolina is a priority on the list of states that need funding.
"We do know Congress and the federal government will continue to spend money on highways and infrastructure so we want to make sure that projects like I-73 are included in that bill," Dean said.
According to Dean the portion of I-73 in the Palmetto State needs a few hundred million dollars in funding before work can be started to complete it.
He says the interstate is estimated to bring in about 29,000 jobs to the Grand Strand and Pee Dee.
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