Carolina Forest pedals toward new bike path

CAROLINA FOREST, SC (WMBF) With no sidewalks, for the people who live off of Carolina Forest Boulevard, there's no other option but to ride your bike on the road, or use a car to get around. Carolina Forest Civic Association Members are working to get a bike path, so riders can pedal down to places like the new Carolina Forest Recreation Center.

It's come down to money. Members of the association are still working on the final estimates with Horry County Engineers, but right now the plans say the project could cost the county more than $1 million so you can have the option to ride your bike.

But the Horry County Transportation Committee says it may be a project too big to handle. Normally they fund projects with the price tag of no more than $40,000, like to put sidewalks along major roadways.

The civic association has plans to get money for the bike path through grants, but some county officials say the best option for the association might be to just break the project and the price down.

"Perhaps do a certain amount this year, and some next year," said George Vereen, Chairman of the Horry County Transportation Committee. "And phase it in. Because that kind of money is not readily available. They would have to do it in phases. That would be my recommendation."

The $1 million estimate is just a preliminary price, as the official plans are still being worked out. The Civic Association's president Chuck Rhome says right now the plans call for a safety median to divide the bike lane from the rest of the road.

They will discuss the best option for a Carolina Forest Boulevard bike path with the transportation committee Tuesday at 7p.m. in the Old Horry County Courthouse.

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