The South Carolina Department of Transportation has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, September 8, 2009, concerning preliminary plans for the proposed extension of SC Route 31(Carolina Bays Parkway) from SC Route 544 to SC Route 707 in Horry County.
The hearing will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Socastee High School, 4900 Socastee Blvd. in Myrtle Beach.
The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity to review and discuss individually with representatives of SCDOT, Federal Highway Administration, and Horry County, preliminary plans for the proposed extension of the Carolina Bays Parkway to SC Route 707.
The purpose of this project is to improve the level of service on the existing road network by completing the Carolina Bays Parkway. This project is funded by the State Infrastructure Bank in Cooperation with Horry County.
From 5 p.m. until 6 p.m., the hearing format will be informal. Displays will be set up in the first floor commons area and project team members from the SCDOT, FHWA, and Horry County will be available to discuss the project with interested citizens on an individual basis.
At 6 p.m., a brief, formal presentation will be given in the auditorium on the project purpose and need, schedule, and potential natural and human impacts to the community. Immediately following the presentation, citizens will have the option to make formal, verbal comments regarding the proposed project. Anyone who desires to verbally comment must sign up between 5 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. as they enter the public hearing. Each comment will be limited to two minutes and may not be transferred.
The informal portion of the Public Hearing will continue during this time (from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
Project details, including environmental documentation of the project's effects, will be provided. Maps and drawings of the proposed improvements will be available.
The approved environmental document (Final Environmental Impact Statement Reevaluation) is available for public review at the SCDOT's Central Office at 955 Park Street in Columbia, the SCDOT's District Office at 3018 E. Palmetto St. in Florence, Horry County Public Works at 4401 Privetts Road in Conway, Socastee Library at 141 707 Connector Road in Socastee, and Surfside Library at 410 Surfside Drive in Surfside Beach.
For more information, the public may contact Mike Barbee, P.E., Program Manager, SCDOT, at (803) 737-4034. Persons with disabilities who may require special accommodations to attend the hearing should contact Karen Davis at (803) 737-1549.
