The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) announced three public‑input meetings next week for residents to learn about the proposed SC‑22 extension and share concerns. The first meeting is on Tuesday at the Horry County Government and Justice Center in Conway, the second on Wednesday at the James Frazier Community Center in Bucksport, and the third on Thursday at the South Strand Rec Center on Scipio Lane in Myrtle Beach. All sessions run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and comments can also be submitted through the project website.
The extension is intended to improve traffic flow along the Grand Strand and add an additional hurricane evacuation route, a benefit that SCDOT says will enhance safety for families throughout the region.
Initially, SCDOT evaluated 22 possible alignments for the highway. That list has been narrowed to three “reasonable alternatives” identified as routes 2, 3, and 4. Route 2 follows a more southern alignment, while routes 3 and 4 take a more central path through Horry County before connecting with Highway 17.
Homeowners in the Farm at Timberlake community have expressed particular concern about Alternative 3, which they say would place the highway directly through their neighborhood. In an email, Mark and Lori Baumblatt asked, “Why would the project consider displacing families from an established neighborhood when there appears to be an opportunity to construct the highway through land where families are not already living?” They emphasized that “our families deserve more than simply being shown a proposed highway corridor passing through our neighborhood” and urged the project team to examine a farther‑south alignment.
No final route has been selected, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues its review of the proposed corridors. SCDOT officials have said they will consider all feedback before making a decision.
What’s next: Residents can attend the Tuesday‑Thursday meetings to voice support or concerns, submit written comments online, and stay informed as SCDOT narrows the options for the SC‑22 extension.
