Fantasy Harbor Bridge set to open today

Wednesday is the grand opening of the new Fantasy Harbor Bridge. Tuesday, construction crews were busy putting on the last minute finishing touches atop the bridge that will be used as an extra route to get motorists on US 17 Bypass instead of using US 501 first.

“We are in the final stages, making sure things are working right, we are hoping it will benefit the mall the airport and residents,” said Travis Patrick with South Carolina’s Department of Transportation.

Patrick explained that the project that cost close to $50 million was broken into two phases as the first phase took two years to build and four years for the entire bridge to complete. The bridge he said was set to officially open at the end of July but crews made progress early on.

News 13 also spoke with residents and business owners that live and work around the new bride who said they hope the new bridge has a positive impact.

“I would love to have my tourists come back in, and I have expectations about this bridge, and so I hope with this new bridge more business will pick and the park will pick up,” said the owner of Big D’s restaurant that sits right across from Freestyle Music Park on George Bishop Parkway.

For Myrtle Beach resident, Eric Murwin the new bridge meant getting to work on time with sitting in heavy traffic on 501.

I think it’s going to be a lot like 31 was when it first opened up how it just created just another way to get somewhere quicker. It’s going to open up another way to get across, I work at the mall and it’s going to save me a ton of time just zip down and avoid all the tourist traffic, just get in and get out,” said Murwin.

“Anytime you have more access into an area it opens up more opportunities for businesses in addition we have pedestrian’s path and bike paths so that would a lot of other options,” said Patrick.

Patrick added that though most of the work is done and the bridge is already set to open, some additional work is still needed which will take another month to complete.