Interstate 73

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Interstate 73 marker

Interstate 73

Map
I-73 highlighted in red
Route information
Length101.1 mi[1][2] (162.7 km)
Existed1997–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end US 220 near Ellerbe
Major intersections
North end US 220 / NC 68 near Stokesdale
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesNorth Carolina
Highway system

Interstate 73 (I-73) is a north–south Interstate Highway, currently located entirely within the US state of North Carolina. It travels 93.5 miles (150.5 km), from south of Ellerbe, North Carolina to northeast of Stokesdale, providing a freeway connection to Greensboro and Asheboro. Other than a short 9.5 mi (15.3 km) segment near the Piedmont Triad International Airport west of Greensboro, the interstate runs concurrently with at least one other route.[3][4][5][6][7]

I-73 was planned to be a much longer corridor, defined by various federal laws to run from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. North Carolina continues to build sections of the route, while South Carolina has shown support for building it but is still searching for funds. However, once active projects are completed, it will only run from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia state line along U.S. Route 220. Michigan is not planning to build the interstate as they abandoned the I-73 project after June 12, 2001, diverting the funds to safety improvement projects along the corridor instead.[8] Ohio does not plan to build any part of the highway because the I-73 corridor in that state is already served by existing freeways or four-lane highways that will eventually be upgraded to freeways. However, there has been a renewed push for the extension of the I-73 corridor within the state. West Virginia is building its section, mostly along US 52, as a four-lane divided highway, but not meeting the Interstate Highway standards, and Virginia does not plan to fund the construction of the interstate in the foreseeable future.

Associated with these plans are those for the extension of I-74 from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach, with several highway overlaps contemplated.

Route description[edit]

Lengths
  mi km
SC
NC 101.1 162.7
VA
WV
OH
MI
Total 101.1 162.7

North Carolina[edit]

I-73/I-74 toward Ellerbe, NC in 2014

As of 2024, I-73 begins south of Ellerbe, in a concurrency with I-74 and U.S. Highway 220 (US 220), to north of Asheboro. I-73 and I-74 travel north through northern Richmond County and into eastern Montgomery County. In Montgomery County, the Interstates pass between the county's eastern border and the Uwharrie National Forest. The freeway enters Randolph County and passes just west of Asheboro. In Randleman, I-74 splits northwest toward High Point and Winston-Salem. North of the I-74 split, I-73 passes over Randleman Lake, a reservoir formed by the blocking of the Deep River and passes into Guilford County. Entering Greensboro, it ends its concurrency with US 220 as it goes northwest along the Greensboro Urban Loop with US 421 after a brief parallel with I-85. At its connection with I-40, US 421 continues north (or geographically west) with I-40 to Winston-Salem, while I-73 continues and I-840 begins. At the Bryan Boulevard exit, I-73 separates from I-840, the latter continuing northeast along the loop. Meanwhile, I-73 turns westward, passing Piedmont Triad International Airport and continuing until it crosses NC 68. The road then resumes its northward direction, stretching eight miles (13 km) before reconverging with US 220 near the Haw River.[9] It then proceeds four miles (6.4 km) further north along a newly widened stretch of US 220 to another interchange with NC 68 which was completed in December 2017 but not signed as I-73 until March 2018.[citation needed]

History[edit]

In 1979, K.A. Ammar, a businessperson from Bluefield, West Virginia, started the Bluefield-to-Huntington Highway Association in order to widen US 52, a very dangerous two-lane road used to transport coal from mines to barges on the Ohio River. With coal employment in decline and the desire to bring in other businesses, Ammar worked to get the road improved. In 1989, Bluefield State College Professor John Sage learned of plans to add more Interstate Highways. Ammar and Sage came up with the idea for a road that would be called I-73, to run from Detroit, Michigan, to Charleston, South Carolina. Ammar and others promoted the idea to the people of Portsmouth, Ohio, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.[10]

In 1991, as Congress worked on reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act, the people from West Virginia worked to get I-73 approved; the highway would run alongside US 52. The influential Robert Byrd, at the time West Virginia's senior senator, chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee, but even Byrd said funding for such a highway would be hard to find. In North Carolina, Marc Bush of the Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce admitted the plan would benefit his area but said it was not a priority.[11]

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) defined High Priority Corridor 5, the "I-73/74 North–South Corridor" from Charleston, South Carolina, through Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Portsmouth, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. This would provide for a single corridor from Charleston, splitting at Portsmouth, with I-74 turning west to its current east end in Cincinnati, and I-73 continuing north to Detroit.[12]

I-73/I-74 beginning near Ellerbe, North Carolina in 2014

In North Carolina, any new construction would require more money than the state had available, but Walter C. Sprouse Jr., executive director of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, pointed out that most of the route of I-73 included roads already scheduled for improvements that would make them good enough for interstate designation. A connector between I-77 and US 52 at Mount Airy was planned, and US 52 from Mount Airy to Winston-Salem and US 311 from Winston-Salem to High Point were four-lane divided highways. A US 311 bypass of High Point was planned, which would eventually connect to US 220 at Randleman. I-73 would follow US 220 to Rockingham. Another possibility was following I-40 from Winston-Salem to Greensboro. Congestion on US 52 in Winston-Salem was anticipated to be an issue.[13] The route through High Point was approved in May 1993.[14]

However, by November of that year, an organization called Job Link, made up of business leaders from northern North Carolina and southern Virginia, wanted a major highway to connect Roanoke with the Greensboro area. It could be I-73, the group said, but did not have to be.[15] In April 1995, John Warner, who chaired the Senate subcommittee that would select the route of I-73, announced his support for the Job Link proposal. This distressed Winston-Salem officials who were counting on I-73, though Greensboro had never publicly sought the road. But an aide to US Senator Lauch Faircloth said the 1991 law authorizing I-73 required the road to go through Winston-Salem. Faircloth got around this requirement, though, by asking Warner to call the highway to Winston-Salem I-74.[16] In May, Warner announced plans to propose legislation that made the plan for two Interstates official.[17]

The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 added a branch from Toledo, Ohio, to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, via the US 223 and US 127 corridors. (At the time, US 127 north of Lansing was part of US 27.) It also gave details for the alignments in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. I-73 and I-74 were to split near Bluefield, joining again between Randleman and Rockingham; both would end at Charleston. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the sections of I-73 and I-74 south of I-81 in Virginia (with I-74 to end at I-73 near Myrtle Beach) on July 25, 1996, allowing for them to be marked once built to Interstate standards and connected to other Interstate Highways. The final major change came with the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998 (TEA-21), when both routes were truncated to Georgetown, South Carolina.

North Carolina took the lead in signing highways as I-73 following AASHTO's approval and since has finished and approved construction projects to build new sections of the Interstate Highway. As of 2018, the route is signed along 101.1 miles (162.7 km) of freeway from the intersection of US 220 and NC 68 north of Greensboro to three miles (4.8 km) south of Ellerbe and an additional nine miles (14 km) is complete but not signed south of Rockingham. The only other progress in building I-73 can be seen in Virginia and South Carolina. In 2005, Virginia completed an environmental impact statement (EIS) for its recommended route for I-73 from I-81 in Roanoke to the North Carolina border. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the EIS report in April 2007. Virginia can now go ahead to draw up plans to construct the highway and proceed to build it once funds are obtained. South Carolina also has shown recent interest in building its section of I-73 with a corridor selected for the route from I-95 to Myrtle Beach in 2006 and a final decision on how the highway should be routed north of I-95 to the North Carolina border in July 2007. In January 2006, the South Carolina state legislature introduced bills to construct I-73 as a toll highway. It is hoped a guaranteed stream of revenue will allow it to build its section of I-73 within 10 years. The FHWA approved South Carolina's proposal on August 10, 2007.[18]

On January 9, 2019, it was announced that the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) State Transportation Improvement Program for 2020 to 2029 included connecting I-73 with US 74 six years sooner than planned.[19] A $146.1-million contract was awarded for the 7.2 miles (11.6 km) of four-lane freeway with "substantial completion" by late 2023.[20][needs update]

Ohio and Michigan both abandoned further environmental studies on their portions of I-73. Most of the I-73 corridor in both of these states follows existing freeways or highways scheduled to be upgraded to freeways under plans that predate I-73.

Future[edit]

South Carolina[edit]

I-73 and I-74 both will begin at Myrtle Beach. I-73 splits to the northwest to Rockingham, North Carolina.[21] Future I-73 will traverse northeastern South Carolina, from the Grand Strand to Bennettsville. The current alignment will replace South Carolina Highway 22 (SC 22) and run parallel north of US 501 and SC 38. In June 2017, the US Army Corps of Engineers approved permits required to build I-73. Now funding needs to be acquired, which may make I-73 a toll road in South Carolina.[citation needed]

On May 30, 2006, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) announced its preferred routing of I-73 between Myrtle Beach and I-95.[22] I-73 will begin where SC 22 starts at US 17 near Briarcliffe Acres. It will then proceed northwesterly, crossing the proposed routing of I-74 (currently SC 31, the Carolina Bays Parkway). After passing Conway, I-73 will leave SC 22 at a new interchange to be constructed two miles (3.2 km) west of US 701 and will then use a new highway to be built between SC 22 and SC 917 north of Cool Spring. I-73 will then use an upgraded SC 917 to cross the Little Pee Dee River. It will then proceed on a new freeway alignment between SC 917 and I-95[23] that would have an interchange with US 76 west of Mullins and then would proceed northwesterly to an exit with US 501 near Latta, passing that city to the south before intersecting I-95 near SC 38.[24] After crossing I-95, I-73 will use the chosen middle route, one of six potential alternative corridors that were studied all of which[citation needed] roughly paralleling SC 38 to proceed further north to the North Carolina state line.[25] These alternative corridors were formally announced to the public on September 7, 2006, at a meeting in Bennettsville. The number of possible routes was reduced to three, and a final decision on the preferred northern route was announced on July 19, 2007. The central route caused the least disruption to homes, farms, and wetlands.[26] NCDOT and SCDOT previously agreed to an I-73 corridor crossing the state line along SC 38 and NC 38 near Hamlet, North Carolina, on February 11, 2005.[25] Previously, I-73 had been planned to cross the state line further west, near US 1 south of Rockingham, North Carolina.[citation needed]

In February 2008, the record of decision (ROD) for the final EIS for the section of I-73 from I-95 to SC 22 was signed. An October 22, 2008, ceremony marked the signing of the ROD for the section from near Hamlet to I-95.[27]

On November 7, 2011, Myrtle Beach city council member Wayne Gray asked area elected officials to consider using Road Improvement and Development Effort (RIDE) funds to pay for a portion of I-73.[28]

In June 2012, Miley and Associates of Columbia recommended improvements to SC 38 and US 501 to create the Grand Strand Expressway (GSX), a position long held by the Coastal Conservation League, which asked for the study. South Carolina Representative Alan D. Clemmons, head of the National I-73 Corridor Association, said such a plan had been considered but was not likely.[29] Nancy Cave of the Coastal Conservation League reiterated support for upgrading SC 38 and US 501, along with US 521 and SC 9, after results of a new study were presented at an August 1, 2012, meeting of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The study claimed that 90,000 people could leave the area 10 hours faster in an evacuation with I-73 and Southern Evacuation Lifeline (SELL) both in place.[30]

The "I-73 Intermediate Traffic and Revenue Study" by C&M Associates, dated February 2016, was to be presented to state transportation officials March 24, 2016 and included upgrades to SC 22. RIDE III, if approved by voters, would also provide funding for the Southern Evacuation Lifeline,[31] a proposed 28-mile (45 km) limited-access highway which would start at the western terminus of SC 22 with US 501 and allow a more direct route west from the southern Strand, while simultaneously, along with SC 22, completing a beltway around the Myrtle Beach area.[32] Voters subsequently approved RIDE III in November 2016.[33]

Interest in I-73 was renewed in early 2021 due in part to the announcement of the American Jobs Plan.[34] Two years later in September 2023, SCDOT announced that Phase I of the project, which would connect I-95 in Dillon County to US 501 south of Latta, would be "shovel ready" by the new year. They also announced that had begun right-of-way purchasing within Horry County from the Little Pee Dee River to the eventual connecting point for I-73 and SC 22.[35] However, South Carolina Govenor Henry McMaster’s 2024 executive budget, which was released in early-January 2024, did not include any funding for building the route. He noted that although he still supports the I-73 expansion into the state, the support among county and local leaders had waned. Despite the lack of funding, Horry County still plans to work on their section of the future freeway pending the passing of the RIDE IV program.[36][37][38]

Virginia[edit]

Future I-73 is planned to connect Martinsville and Roanoke, then head west to Blacksburg before entering West Virginia.

In Virginia, I-73 will continue north from the state line parallel to the US 220 corridor all the way to Roanoke. US 220 is currently a rural four-lane highway with many safety issues. As such, Virginia has decided to have I-73 immediately diverge from US 220 upon entering the state from North Carolina and travel around the east side of Martinsville, with US 220 as a freeway around the west side of Martinsville. The two will meet briefly south of Rocky Mount. I-73 will continue its northbound journey paralleling US 220 to the east until they converge south of Roanoke. At that point, I-73 and US 220 will run concurrently to I-581, which I-73 will follow to I-81. Signs that say "Future I-73 Corridor" can be found along I-581.[39]

If I-73 is extended northward, from Roanoke, it will turn southwest on I-81, running concurrently to east of Blacksburg and then using the Virginia Smart Road to Blacksburg. The rest of the way to West Virginia will be an upgrade of US 460, Corridor Q of the Appalachian Development Highway System.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has run studies on this corridor, but its construction now has very low priority compared to other projects in the state. Additionally, funding for the route was used for other more urgent projects.[40]

West Virginia[edit]

Future I-73 is planned to enter, from Virginia, near Bluefield and then go northwesterly along the King Coal Highway to Huntington.

I-73 will continue next to US 460 (Corridor Q) from the Virginia state line west to Bluefield. There it will join with I-74, which splits from I-77 just across the border from Virginia. For the rest of its path through West Virginia, from Bluefield to Huntington and Ohio, I-73 will follow US 52, which is currently being upgraded to a four-lane divided highway as the King Coal Highway to Williamson and the Tolsia Highway the rest of the way to Huntington. This section has been sporadically marked as the Future I-73/I-74 Corridor with signs but is not being built to Interstate standards.

Ohio[edit]

Future I-73 is planned to parallel US 52 to Portsmouth, then north with US 23 through Columbus and Toledo.

In Ohio, I-73 was planned to parallel US 52 to Portsmouth. A four-lane controlled highway known as the Portsmouth Bypass was under construction.[41] When completed in 2019, this bypass runs from US 52 to US 23, along State Route 823 (SR 823) just north of Lucasville. I-73 and I-74 would continue north to SR 32, where I-74 would split from I-73, and I-73 would head north along US 23 the rest of the way through Columbus to Toledo and the Michigan state line. The part from Portsmouth to Columbus is Corridor C of the Appalachian Development Highway System. In Columbus, I-73 would most likely follow SR 315 through Columbus. In Toledo, I-73 would likely follow I-280's alignment and likely route along I-475 before branching off with US 23 into Michigan. However, routes in the Columbus and Toledo areas have not yet been officially determined. Ohio has abandoned further study of the I-73 corridor, since the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) plans to eventually upgrade the US 23/US 52 corridor from Toledo to Portsmouth to a freeway. Nonetheless, the option to designate the corridor as I-73 once all upgrades are complete remains open, contingent upon what happens with the connecting route in West Virginia.[citation needed]

On February 5, 2009, the Governor Ted Strickland proposed allowing tolls to be collected on newly built sections of highway.[42] One of the proposed routes includes the Columbus–Toledo corridor, which is currently served by US 23 as an expressway largely without limited access.

A new project has been initiated by ODOT to complete a study of the US 23 corridor between the village of Waldo and I-270. The goal of this project is to create a free-flow connection between Columbus and Toledo. Some of the alternatives to be explored include upgrading the existing alignment or creating new corridors to US 33 to the west or I-71 to the east of the current corridor. There are no plans to sign this as an Interstate Highway at this time.[43] However, there has a renewed push for the extension of both I-73 and I-74 in the state since 2022.[44]

Michigan[edit]

Future I-73 was planned to go northwesterly to Jackson then go north with US 127 to Grayling. From there, the corridor would have continued along I-75 to Sault Ste. Marie.

The original defined alignment of I-73 would have run along I-75 to Detroit.[45] However, Congress amended that definition in 1995 to have a branch along the US 223 corridor to south of Jackson and the US 127 corridor north to I-75 near Grayling. From Grayling, it would have used I-75 to Sault Ste. Marie.[46] Except south of Jackson, where the existing highways are two-lane roads and a section of road north of Lansing where the freeway reverts to a divided highway, this corridor is mostly a rural four-lane freeway.[47] The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) included using the US 223 corridor as one of its three options to build I-73 in 2000. The others included using the US 127 corridor all the way into Ohio with a connection to the Ohio Turnpike or using US 127 south and a new freeway connection to US 223 at Adrian.[48] MDOT abandoned further study of I-73 after June 12, 2001, diverting remaining funding to safety improvement projects along the corridor.[8] The department stated there was a "lack of need" for sections of the proposed freeway, and the project website was closed down in 2002.[49] According to press reports in 2011, a group advocating on behalf of the freeway was working to revive the I-73 project in Michigan. According to an MDOT spokesperson, "to my knowledge, we're not taking that issue up again".[50] The Lenawee County Road Commission is not interested in the freeway, and, according to the president of the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, "there seems to be little chance of having an I-73 link between Toledo and Jackson built in the foreseeable future."[50]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Adderly, Kevin (January 30, 2018). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2017". Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  2. ^ Google (October 26, 2013). "Interstate 73 in North Carolina" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  3. ^ Siceloff, Bruce (February 21, 2008). "I-40 Bypass Opens in Greensboro". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. p. b5. OCLC 11750106.
  4. ^ Wireback, Taft (September 16, 2008). "Old I- 40 Gets Back on Track". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. A1. ISSN 0747-1858.
  5. ^ Nadolny, Tricia L. (July 31, 2009). "Mapping by Car". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. A1. ISSN 0747-1858.
  6. ^ Hall, Tony (March 28, 1997). "State Making Good Progress on Interstates". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. B2. ISSN 0747-1858.
  7. ^ MacCallum, Tom (January 8, 2008). "Ellerbe Bypass Opens After Years of Construction". Richmond County Daily Journal. Rockingham, North Carolina.[page needed]
  8. ^ a b Stiles, Linda (June 13, 2001). "Funds for I-73 Instead Will Be Used to Repair Routes 127, 223". Jackson Citizen Patriot. p. A1. OCLC 9939307.
  9. ^ "Portion of I-73 in Guilford County opening to drivers". News & Record. May 17, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  10. ^ Bartelme, Tony (September 14, 1997). "Birth of an Interstate: How a Savvy Group of West Virginians Dreamed up I-73". Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. A1. ISSN 1061-5105.
  11. ^ Scism, Jack (June 9, 1991). "New Interstates Likely Impossible Dream". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. E1. ISSN 0747-1858.
  12. ^ Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike; Adderly, Kevin (June 18, 2012). "High Priority Corridors". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  13. ^ Scism, Jack (January 3, 1993). "Coming Soon—to a Highway Near You—I-73". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. E1. ISSN 0747-1858.
  14. ^ Thompson, Kelly (May 15, 1993). "Interstate to Run Through Triad Detroit to Charleston, SC". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. B2. ISSN 0747-1858.
  15. ^ Lounsbury, Helen (November 11, 1993). "Road to Roanoke Vital, Group Says Lobbying for New Interstate". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. B3. ISSN 0747-1858.
  16. ^ Catanoso, Justin (April 14, 1995). "New Proposal for I-73 Stirs Triad Rivalry". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. B1. ISSN 0747-1858.
  17. ^ Catanoso, Justin (May 2, 1995). "New Interstates May Cross Triad". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. p. A1. ISSN 0747-1858.
  18. ^ Fuller, Kerry Marshall (August 11, 2007). "Tolling on I-73 Gains Federal Approval". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. p. A1.
  19. ^ Stone, Gavin (January 9, 2019). "Bypass project accelerated: Bypass project around Rockingham accelerated from 2026 to 2020". Richmond County Daily Journal. Rockingham, North Carolina.
  20. ^ "NCDOT awards contract for Rockingham bypass". Richmond County Daily Journal. Rockingham, North Carolina. November 6, 2019.
  21. ^ "Signing Plans 2" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. July 5, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  22. ^ "Conservationists find I-73 route acceptable". The Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. May 31, 2006. p. B3. ISSN 1061-5105.
  23. ^ Wilson, Zane (May 31, 2006). "A Route at Last". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. p. A1. OCLC 27119790.
  24. ^ Wilson, Zane (May 31, 2006). "A Route at Last". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, SC. p. A1. OCLC 27119790.
  25. ^ a b Staff. "I-73 Environmental Impact Study". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  26. ^ Root, Tonya (July 20, 2007). "Plan for North Leg Revealed". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. p. A1. OCLC 27119790.
  27. ^ "Ceremony Marks Step Forward for Northern Route of I-73". The Morning News. Florence, South Carolina. October 20, 2008.[page needed]
  28. ^ Anderson, Lorena (November 7, 2011). "Myrtle Beach, Horry County and legislators talk I-73, cell phones, taxes and more at joint meeting". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. OCLC 27119790. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  29. ^ Kelley, Amanda (June 23, 2012). "Study Favors Updating Existing Roads Rather than Building Interstate 73". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. OCLC 27119790. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  30. ^ Jones, Steve; Grooms, Vicki (August 1, 2012). "New Evacuation Study Has Chamber Backing, but Critics Say They Have Better Route". The Sun News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. OCLC 27119790. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  31. ^ Hudson, Audrey (March 23, 2016). "Study links SC 22, southern evacuation route, to build I-73". The Sun News. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  32. ^ Moore, Graeme (September 8, 2009). "DOT studies hurricane evacuation route". WPDE. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  33. ^ Hudson, Audrey (December 13, 2016). "RIDE III road work gets a jump start". The Sun News.
  34. ^ Shoemaker, J. Dale; Chambers, Francesca (April 5, 2021). "Could Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan fund I-73 in Myrtle Beach? What we know". The Sun News. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  35. ^ James, Andrew (September 20, 2023). "SCDOT official says I-73 first phase is 'shovel ready' come 2024". WPDE. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  36. ^ Nelson, Kristin (January 5, 2024). "Funding to bring I-73 to Grand Strand not included in McMaster's executive budget". www.wmbfnews.com. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  37. ^ Richardson, Julia (January 8, 2024). "Mixed reactions from Grand Strand, Pee Dee leaders over lack of I-73 funding". www.wmbfnews.com. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  38. ^ Perry, Charles D. (January 23, 2024). "New bridges and I-73? How Horry County could spend $5.5 billion from a 25-year tax". Post and Courier. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  39. ^ Virginia Department of Transportation (March 19, 2010). "I-73 Location Study". Virginia Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  40. ^ Pickeral, Amie (May 24, 2016). "County Supervisors Told I-73 Project Appears to Be Over". Martinsville Bulletin. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  41. ^ "Portsmouth Bypass". United States Department of Transportation. April 2, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  42. ^ "Gov Toll Road Proposal May Revive Highway Projects". Columbus, Ohio: WCMH-TV. Associated Press. February 6, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  43. ^ "Route 23 Connect". Ohio Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  44. ^ "Ohio House passes resolution urging for I-73, I-74 extension". WSAZ-TV. January 27, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  45. ^ United States Congress (December 18, 1991). "Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991". United States Congress. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2010. §1105(c)(5) I-73/74 North–South Corridor from Charleston, South Carolina, through Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Portsmouth, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan.
  46. ^ United States Congress (November 28, 1995). "The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995". United States Congress. Retrieved September 28, 2010. §1105(c)(5) I-73/74 North–South Corridor from Charleston, South Carolina, through Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Portsmouth, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, to termini at Detroit, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The Sault Ste. Marie terminus shall be reached via a corridor connecting Adrian, Jackson, Lansing, Mount Pleasant, and Grayling, Michigan.
  47. ^ Michigan Department of Transportation (2010). Uniquely Michigan: Official Department of Transportation Map (Map). c. 1:975,000. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. §§ N11–N12. OCLC 42778335, 639960603.
  48. ^ "Michigan Settles on 3 Options for I-73: State Still May Decide not to Build Highway". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. December 14, 2000. p. B2. Retrieved December 19, 2010 – via Google News.
  49. ^ Hickey, JoAnne (August 22, 2007). "South Takes the Lead: I-73 Will Push from South to North" (PDF). Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise. Marion, South Carolina. p. 5A. OCLC 761993706. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  50. ^ a b Pelham, Dennis (July 16, 2011). "Group Seeks to Revive I-73 Interest in Michigan". The Daily Telegram. Adrian, Michigan. p. A8. OCLC 33972687. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2011.

External links[edit]

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