Myrtle Beach not implementing traffic loop for Memorial Day weekend, official says

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - Myrtle Beach will once again not implement a traffic loop for Memorial Day weekend, according to city emergency manager Travis Glatki.

Glatki made the announcement Thursday afternoon while making a presentation at the Myrtle Beach Human Rights Commission’s scheduled meeting.

The presentation also stated that Ocean Boulevard will be one lane heading southbound from 29th Avenue North to 29th Avenue South over the holiday. The northbound lanes will be reserved for emergency vehicle response.

Memorial Day weekend is typically one of the busiest along the Grand Strand and is considered the “unofficial” start to the summer season.

One of the biggest events of the weekend is Bikefest where thousands of riders come in from in the entire country.

Myrtle Beach Emergency Manager, Travis Glatki says it’s typically an all hands on deck weekend.

“As soon as Memorial Day ends we are debriefing and planning,” said Glatki.

City crews will also have cones, barrels and other barricades set up at certain locations. Restrictions on golf carts and other low-speed vehicles have also already been announced.

The city has also decided to change several traffic lights from stop lights to flashing yellows and yielding.

During the city’s presentation on Thursday they touched on the importance of the outside agencies who help make this weekend move efficiently, which includes the State Law Enforcement Division, Department of Natural Resources and surrounding local agencies.

“We want everyone to have a good time but also be safe,” said Captain Shannon Castle with the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

The 23-mile loop was the subject of a 2018 lawsuit filed by the NAACP, in which the group claimed the policy discriminate against mostly Black visitors who come to the Grand Strand for the holiday weekend and Atlantic Beach Bikefest.

The city eventually contributed $50,000 to the NAACP and also underwent a traffic and public safety review as part of a settlement.

The loop was also not used in 2022 and 2021. A city spokesperson told WMBF News last year that the decision to not use it was not tied to any legal action.

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