Harrelson Boulevard Extension discussed, celebrated Thursday morning

Myrtle Beach and Horry County leaders gathered in Myrtle Beach Thursday morning to discuss constructing the Harrelson Boulevard extension project.
Officials with the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Development Authority were also there.

They met at Kings Highway and 22nd Ave. S., where the new portion of Harrelson Boulevard will connect.

Leaders said the road will be about 1 mile long and cost about $12 million, with most of the money coming from the city and county.

$3.8 million of the funds needed came from the Myrtle Beach Redevelopment Authority.

The road is intended to move traffic more swiftly from the beach area to the Myrtle Beach International Airport, as well as help alleviate traffic in the Forestbrook area.

The extension would provide another way of getting to the beach, in addition to Highway 501.

Bids for the project are expected to begin in early 2010.