U.S. 17 Safety Project Begins Work in North Myrtle Beach

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is launching the U.S. 17 Corridor Improvements Project in North Myrtle Beach, a major infrastructure effort designed to increase safety along one of the Grand Strand’s primary thoroughfares. According to SCDOT safety data, the U.S. 17 corridor from Conway Street to 21st Avenue South saw 609 traffic crashes—including seven fatal incidents—over a six-year period.

To address these safety concerns, crews will install new crosswalks, pedestrian signals, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, and solid concrete medians. Upgrades to traffic signal equipment are also planned at several key intersections along the route.

Roadwork will take place primarily overnight between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Drivers should expect active construction and potential delays near several major intersections, including 46th Avenue South, Windy Hill Road, 37th Avenue South, 33rd Avenue South, and 27th Avenue South.

The project will impact nighttime commuters, local residents, and nearby business operations. Local business owners along the stretch, such as Klig's Kites, have voiced concerns regarding the potential impact on evening foot traffic and access. The installation of new concrete medians will change access patterns, requiring southbound drivers to make U-turns at designated locations rather than turning directly across traffic into parking lots. Business owners worry the combination of evening construction setups and altered turns could deter shoppers during the upcoming off-season.

The overall project has an anticipated completion date of June 30, 2027. Drivers traveling through North Myrtle Beach during evening and overnight hours are advised to plan extra travel time, anticipate lane closures, and exercise extra caution for road crews working along the corridor.