Horry County Council Transportation Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Horry County Council Transportation Committee met on March 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the County Council Conference Room. The meeting featured updates from Coast RTA, the RIDE program, and the Public Works Department, along with the approval of road acceptances and an ordinance regulating personal electric devices. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• The committee approved the agenda and the minutes from the January 27, 2026 meeting.
• A resolution to accept roads and drainage in Auberon Woods Phase 2 (Auberon Parkway, Glacier Way, Hibernation Way, Forage Drive, and Rupert Drive), Coastal Farms (Keithland Drive, Squirrell Run Drive, and McGill Drive), and Villas @ Carolina Forest (Marigold Drive) into the county maintenance system was approved without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Farish (resident of Plantation Lakes, Myrtle Beach) addressed the committee regarding the proposed ordinance on e-bikes. She expressed strong safety concerns, noting that youth on e-bikes ride on walking paths along Carolina Forest Boulevard, trespass on private property, and cause hazards. She reported meeting with Councilman DiSabato and Chief Lamphart three weeks prior to seek regulation.

Discussion Items

• Coast RTA Update (Brian Piascik): Piascik presented three agenda items.
  • Service Changes (proposed for June 1, 2026): Adding three buses to daily service, restoring 60-minute frequency on the Conway-to-Myrtle Beach route (from 75 minutes), increasing service in Carolina Forest (from 2-hour to 60-minute intervals), and discontinuing summer entertainment shuttles (ridership dropped from 70,000 in past summers to 9,000 recently). The changes are cost-neutral for FY26 but add $1 million in FY27 operating costs, to be covered by an OM reserve.
  • Facility Update: A 21.5-acre site was acquired for $6 million (with the city paying ~$1.1 million for a fire station portion). A new site plan shows a triangular transit center, 40 bus parking spaces (up from 21), 60 small vehicle spaces, and a public meeting room. Construction manager at risk selected; site work begins fall 2026, transit center opening late 2027/early 2028, maintenance facility in 2028. A land swap with a neighbor is in progress.
  • Budget Revision: Revenue down $600,000, expenses up $400,000 (mostly capital). Early arrival of four new Flyer buses (2027 models at $715,000 each, up from $487,000 in 2021) creates a cash hit in April 2026. Piascik also noted delays in FTA and SCDOT grant releases and ongoing work toward the OM reserve.
  • The committee discussed real-time bus tracking integration with Google Transit (free option) and the fire station land cost.
• RIDE Program Update (Anna Barnhill):
  • RIDE III: Fred Nash Boulevard opened in January 2026, featuring a unique “hamburger” roundabout. Current construction includes 4.34 miles of dirt roads paved (Group 3), with work continuing on Bedford, Birchfield, Maple Wild, Sweet Home, Tranquil, Turner, Harrelson, and Dawn roads. SC9 widening in Loris is nearing completion (signals open). The 701 widening in North Conway starts soon (Palmetto awarded, Santee Cooper relocating poles). The 501 realignment (completion early 2027) and 501 mainline widening (completion late 2026) are progressing. Forest Brook clearing and grubbing has begun. Upcoming projects include Group 4 dirt road paving (design), Conway Perimeter Road (letting likely 2027), and Carolina Bays/22 extension (permitting).
  • SC 22 Extension: The NEPA process has reduced alternatives from 16 to 14 preliminary routes. Tier 2 screening will incorporate public feedback and environmental factors, with public meetings anticipated in fall 2026.
  • RIDE IV: Design awards are in progress for 38th Avenue North Widening, 17 Bypass/Robert Grissom Parkway interchange, and the 31/Sand Ridge Road Connector. Construction timeline for the interchange is estimated at 2–3 years. Revenue projections remain on track.
  • The committee inquired about accelerating the Conway Perimeter Road timeline; Barnhill noted 12+ months for design and right-of-way work, with potential for acceleration.
• Public Works Department Overview (Randy Plummer & Ashley Dulcey):
  • Road Maintenance: Public Works maintains 1,587 of 4,500 center-lane miles in the county, including 450 unpaved miles. Dirt roads are graded every 3 weeks. Staff fabricate and repair road name signs in unincorporated areas. Pothole repair uses hot mix on cut asphalt. In the last 5 years, 65+ drainage improvements and 28 bridge replacements have been completed. Two crews assist with dirt road paving.
  • Beach Maintenance: Nine miles of unincorporated beach are maintained, including parking areas and trash collection (Fourth of July sees extra crews). The department provides 38 free beach wheelchairs and 4 mobility mats, with highly positive feedback from users.
  • Litter Collection: A dedicated crew collects over 1,000 bags of litter monthly on tourist routes; one general fund crew serves other roads.
  • Disaster Recovery: Staff respond to hurricanes, snow, and ice, clearing sand from roads (e.g., in Garden City) and temporarily reinforcing dunes to limit ocean water inflow. Equipment is escorted by police during emergencies.

Ordinance

• Personal Electric Device Regulation (David Jordan): The committee considered an ordinance similar to Myrtle Beach's, targeting motorized electric dirt bikes (not pedal-assist bikes). It would prohibit devices on roads with speed limits over 20 mph, sidewalks, county parking lots, parks, and green space, and ban holding a phone while riding. The initial fine of $100 was amended to $200 to align with moving violations (motion by Councilman Crawford, seconded). The committee voted unanimously to forward the ordinance to full council, with a request to expedite summer adoption.

Key Outcomes

• The committee unanimously approved the e-bike ordinance amendment ($200 fine) and voted to move it to full council for final action.
• All three road acceptances (Auberon Woods Phase 2, Coastal Farms, Villas @ Carolina Forest) were approved.
• The next Transportation Committee meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2026.