MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Rainfall and wet soil has caused some construction issues for a major highway project in Horry County.
South Carolina Department of Transportation says the October floods and wet weather though the fall and winter have pushed back the utility relocation part of the 707 widening project.
The completion date has been delayed by five months from August 2017 to January of 2018.
The $105 million project began in October 2014 to widen the two-lane road to five lanes for a nine mile stretch between Enterprise Road and the Georgetown County line.
Homeowners and businesses on 707 say the added wait will take some patience.
“I’m upset, but what are you going to do,” questions Nancy Bennett.
Bennett has lived on Highway 707 for 33 years, and while she welcomes the new expanded highway, she says, “there [are] too many problems and of course these guys haven’t had the best weather.”
The wet weather that delayed the project, also had an impact on Bennett’s home.
“My ditch overflows and it goes back under my house. The guys got it fixed. It took awhile, but they got it fixed,” said Bennett.
Now that the overflow has been plugged, Bennett says she has big plans for when the entire project is completed.
“I’m putting back my for sale sign,” she said.
Bennett isn’t the only one with eyes on the future, Mike Fasolo opened up University Motors in October 2015, during the middle of construction.
Fasolo says he has faced some challeges, traffic can be heavy in the mornings and at rush hour, sometimes blocking the entrance.
“But we believe the benefits will far outweigh these challenges and we see the growth potential in this area,” said Fasolo.
With a plan in place for 200 new homes to be built nearby and a connection to Highway 31 being constructed, Fasolo says he’s thinking ahead.
“This is a great mix of commercial and residential and we just see it as a very good potential for our business,” he said, adding that the delay is just part of the process.
“We knew what we were getting into, but again, we know that once this gets done it will really be worth it. It’s going to make a good impact on the area,” predicts Fasolo.
Five lanes should be open from Enterprise Road to Bay Road starting this June, and it should be a five lane stretch all the way south to McDowell Shortcut Road by September. The roads will not be fully paved by that time, but usable.
Enterprise Road should be completely reopened by June.
