Transportation officials propose one parkway in SC to extend into Brunswick Co.
BRUNSWICK CO., N.C. (WECT) - Shallotte, North Carolina, is home to just over 5,000 people.
"Easy access to the beaches, large commercial shopping area," said Shallotte mayor Walt Eccard.
It's a small town in Brunswick County. Eccard, though, says it's growing at a rapid pace.
"Like most parts of Brunswick County, we're experiencing large residential growth, businesses are growing," said Eccard. "It's been a very active time."
Eccard says that growth is likely only going to continue if a new proposal goes through to extend Carolina Bays Parkway in Horry County, South Carolina.
The road right now runs parallel to the intracoastal waterway, but could soon also run through Brunswick County.
"It's essentially extending SC 31 from SC 9 to US 17 in Brunswick County," said project manager Aaron Lebeau.
Lebeau says it's a nearly $8 billion project the North Carolina and South Carolina DOTs are working together on.
"The goal of the project is to improve network mobility in the area and improve connectivity," said Lebeau.
The new Carolina Bays Parkway would be a multi-lane highway and use some of the existing road, plus build-on new locations.
"It's been in the process for close to 20 years," said Eccard.
Eccard first heard of the proposal 12 years ago when he first started as mayor.
"I was encouraged and excited," he said. "I think it's an improvement that's very much needed. With all this growth in Brunswick County, we need ways to navigate through our area."
He says it'll help with their local traffic and transportation issues they've had for years.
The extended parkway at the earliest wouldn't start until around 2028, and the North Carolina side still needs to come up with their part of the funding. But officials say it'll be worth the wait.
"Any project that improves the mobility through the area is something people will look forward to," said Eccard.
The next step in the process is getting public input. There are multiple in-person meetings with NCDOT and SCDOT officials lined up at the end of this month.
UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS:
To learn more information, you find it on the NCDOT website by clicking here.