 encourages citizens to get involved in a newly initiated US 17 Corridor Study){kind=link}
The Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (GSATS) encourages citizens to get involved in a newly initiated US 17 Corridor Study in Georgetown County. The US 17 Corridor in Georgetown County currently carries an average of 35,000 vehicles per day. This area has experienced significant growth which has led to increased congestion and safety concerns along the corridor.
Key challenges along the corridor include how to move traffic efficiently through coastal resort communities while maintaining access to businesses and providing bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. The Corridor Study will analyze traffic operations, crash history, growth patterns, and access management strategies to improve safety and traffic flow.
The study will result in short-term, mid-term, and long-term recommendations that local governments and the SCDOT could implement in the future to benefit the corridor. The study area begins at the intersection of US 17 and US 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet (near Georgetown/Horry County Line) and continues south for 19 miles to Hobcaw Barony.
The Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (GSATS) is leading the project and has contracted with a consulting firm, AECOM, to do the necessary studies. Georgetown County is also a key project partner.
The study is just getting underway so preliminary engineering and traffic studies are beginning now. No decisions have been made, but some of the possible solutions may include: intersection improvements to relieve congestion, geometric improvements to improve safety, bike/pedestrian accommodations, and signal timing.
The study began in June of 2019 and expected to conclude by the Winter of 2020. Residents are encouraged to get more information about the study and make comments on the wiki map at this location: https://wikimapping.com/US17.html. The wiki map offers a place for citizens to leave comments for the project team about specific locations on the corridor. The wiki map also includes general project information and frequently asked questions. Public information meetings will also be scheduled in the future as the study progresses.
Brittany P. Harriot
Public Information Coordinator
SC Department of Transportation
O: (803) 737-3158 | C: (803) 354-3955
955 Park Street
Columbia, SC 29201