South Carolina state legislators have taken a significant step toward honouring former President Donald Trump by proposing that a major new interstate highway extension be named after him. The move comes as part of ambitious infrastructure plans that could reshape transportation in the region.
Legislative Proposal for Presidential Recognition
State Representative Heather Ammons Crawford formally introduced legislation last Tuesday that would designate the planned expansion of Interstate 73 as the "President Donald J. Trump Highway." The proposal has already gained considerable momentum among Republican officials in the state.
"President Donald J. Trump is the greatest President of our lifetime," Crawford declared in an official press release. "During his first administration, he secured the permit that made I-73 shovel-ready after decades of delay. From the Grand Strand to Pee Dee, this road means jobs and opportunity for South Carolina families and businesses."
Infrastructure Project with Substantial Economic Impact
The proposed highway extension would connect North Carolina's existing I-73 route down to the popular coastal destination of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Currently, Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is situated, lacks direct access to any interstate highway system.
According to detailed projections cited by Crawford, the infrastructure development promises substantial economic benefits:
- An estimated financial impact reaching $3.6 billion
- Approximately 20,528 jobs sustained by 2040
- 33 percent time savings for motorists using the route
- Potential cost savings approaching $172 million by 2040
Critical Federal Permit Secured During Trump Administration
The project's advancement became possible when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a crucial federal permit during President Trump's first term. This authorization ended decades of bureaucratic delays that had prevented the highway extension from moving forward.
Local leaders have long advocated for improved transportation infrastructure, particularly emphasizing the safety benefits during hurricane season. The new interstate connection would provide residents and tourists with more efficient evacuation routes when severe weather threatens the coastal region.
Growing Political Support and Funding Developments
The naming proposal has attracted enthusiastic backing from numerous South Carolina officials. Congressman Russell Fry publicly endorsed the initiative on social media, calling it "a well-deserved honor for a GREAT President who secured the critical federal permits to make this highway a reality."
Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette echoed this sentiment, proclaiming "South Carolina is Trump Country!" while Attorney General Alan Wilson expressed his support for naming the interstate after the former president.
Significant progress has already been made toward funding the ambitious project. In November 2024, Horry County voters approved the RIDE IV program, a comprehensive $6.6 billion transportation initiative spanning 25 years. This included allocating $450 million in local matching funds specifically for constructing the I-73 extension from Highway 22 to the Marion County line in North Carolina.
Broader Pattern of Trump Commemorations
This South Carolina proposal follows similar commemorative efforts elsewhere in the United States. Earlier this month, a section of Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach, Florida, was officially renamed "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard." The four-mile stretch runs from Palm Beach International Airport to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
Additionally, in December, Trump-appointed members of the Kennedy Center's board in Washington, D.C., voted to rename the cultural institution the Trump-Kennedy Center. Although signage has already been changed, this renaming has not yet received congressional approval and has prompted several artistic groups to cancel performances in protest.
Horry County's transportation committee has placed a resolution supporting the highway naming on its Tuesday agenda, while the legislative measure has been referred to the House Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions for further consideration. With both federal permits and substantial local funding now secured, supporters believe the interstate expansion is closer to reality than ever before.
