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U.S. Route 17 in South Carolina

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U.S. Highway 17 marker
U.S. Highway 17
Coastal Highway
Map
US 17 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by SCDOT
Length221.454 mi[1][2][3][4][5][6] (356.396 km)
ExistedNovember 11, 1926 (1926-11-11)[7]–present
Major junctions
South end US 17 / SR 404 Spur at Georgia line near Savannah, GA
Major intersections
North end US 17 at North Carolina line near Calabash, NC
Location
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Carolina
CountiesJasper, Beaufort, Colleton, Charleston, Georgetown, Horry
Highway system
SC 16 SC 18

U.S. Highway 17 (US 17) is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that runs north–south from Punta Gorda, Florida to Winchester, Virginia. In South Carolina, it is a 221-mile (356 km) major highway that travels near the Atlantic Ocean. Beginning from the Georgia state line at the Savannah River, US 17 enters South Carolina in Jasper County, where it intersects with Interstate 95 (I-95). The route goes through Hardeeville. It merges with I-95 until Point South, then heads east into Beaufort County, through the ACE Basin, and eventually reaches Charleston. There, US 17 crosses the Ashley and Cooper rivers, crossing the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and becoming a major route through Mount Pleasant. Continuing through the Francis Marion National Forest, it reaches Georgetown. Then it follows the Grand Strand, bypassing Myrtle Beach before entering North Carolina near Calabash.

US 17 existed before the Interstate Highway System and remains an alternative to I-95 for local and long-distance travel. The highway offers a more scenic coastal route than I-95's inland path. During hurricane seasons, US 17 serves as an evacuation route for coastal communities, particularly in the Grand Strand regions.

Throughout its route in South Carolina, the highway is commonly called the Coastal Highway. Historically, a portion of US 17 was part of a much longer colonial-era route known as the King's Highway. This historic road stretched from Charleston to Boston, Massachusetts, serving the major colonial cities along the Eastern Seaboard. Additionally, multiple portions of US 17 were part of the Ocean Highway, due to the highway being near the Atlantic Ocean.

Route description

[edit]

US 17 runs for 221.454 miles (356.396 km) from the South Carolina Lowcountry to the Pee Dee region. The route primarily follows a more northeast–southwest direction. Most of the corridor runs through coastal areas, marshes and wetlands, urban areas, and rural farmland. US 17 is mostly four lanes except from the Georgia state line to the US 17 / SC 170 interchange near Limehouse and from Garr Lane in Hardeeville to State Road S-27-13 near Ridgeland. Between Ridgeland and Point South, US 17 runs concurrently with I-95. The highway is maintained by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

Georgia state line to Charleston

[edit]
US 17 in Hardeeville

US 17 enters South Carolina in Jasper County as a two-lane road and, within eight miles (13 km), enters Hardeeville, where it becomes a four-lane configuration. US 17 intersects I-95 at exit 5 in Hardeeville and after the intersection with US 321, runs parallel to I-95 until Ridgeland, where it merges with the Interstate at exit 22 until Point South. At Point South, US 17 leaves I-95 at exit 33 and heads eastward into northern Beaufort County, sharing a concurrency with US 21 until Gardens Corner. US 21 splits off to Beaufort while US 17 heads northeast into the ACE Basin and Colleton County.[8] Once in Jacksonboro, the road enters into Charleston County crossing over the Edisto River and regaining a four-lane configuration for the remainder of the state. The road passes through several rural communities as it approaches Charleston from the west. Just before the interchange with I-526, major commercial development starts and continues into the West Ashley neighborhood of Charleston.[8] The route then approaches the Ashley River.

Charleston to Georgetown

[edit]
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge carries US 17 over the Cooper River

In Charleston, US 17 traverses the Ashley River Drawbridges and comes onto the Charleston Peninsula, being routed north of the city's historical areas. The first portion is at-grade and has a few traffic signals for flow purposes. Upon reaching the eastern terminus of I-26, US 17 becomes controlled-access and above grade as it approaches the Cooper River via the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the stretch of US 17 in Charleston is infamous among locals for its traffic congestion, especially on weekday mornings.

US 17 near Awendaw Creek

Upon crossing the river, the highway enters Mount Pleasant at grade and is signalized for several miles up through the second interchange with I-526 and connecting roads to the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. The road leaves the Charleston metropolitan area by entering the Francis Marion National Forest and going through the rural communities of Awendaw and McClellanville on its northeastern journey to Georgetown. US 17 crosses the marsh-lined Santee River as it enters Georgetown County. After going through Georgetown, US 17 crosses eastward over the WaccamawPee Dee river system before making a northward turn along the Grand Strand.[8]

Georgetown to the North Carolina state line

[edit]

The last component of US 17 runs close to the Atlantic Ocean, beginning at Hobcaw Barony and DeBordieu Colony, passing by Pawleys Island, and going past the Litchfield beaches and Murrells Inlet. It enters Horry County. It passes Garden City, Surfside Beach, and arrives in Myrtle Beach. US 17 splits here between a business route and the standard route, which remains west of the beach and tourist areas served by US 17 Business. The roads rejoin north of the city and continue as US 17 through Atlantic Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Little River where the South Carolina Welcome Center can be found across from the intersection with SC 179 before crossing into North Carolina.[8] The portions from Murrells Inlet to the state line are quite congested at times, though the soon to be constructed I-73 should assist in alleviating many traffic issues.

History

[edit]
US 17 South Carolina highway shield in 1926.

The route was part of the 1926 approved plan for a national system of highways and appears on the approved map. When first signed, US 17 followed a route that went through Florence and Marion.[9] The original route through South Carolina was 288 miles (463 km) long.

At the time, U.S. Highways in South Carolina used a dual-numbering system; US 17 was also signed SC 1 from Georgia to Yemassee, SC 30 from Yemassee to Walterboro, SC 6 from Walterboro to Charleston, SC 2 from Charleston to Goose Creek, SC 41 from Goose Creek to Florence, SC 3 from Florence to North Carolina.[10] By 1928, all the dual numbers had been removed except for SC 2. The entire route from Georgia to North Carolina was paved by 1930.[11] At one point, the route from Green Pond to Jacksonboro was SC 32.[citation needed]

In 1931, the route was extended to Punta Gorda.[12]

The early routing was already identified to be shifted to the King's Highway which would pass through Myrtle Beach and Georgetown; rerouting occurred in 1935.[9]

In 1941, the segment of roadway between the Tullifinny River and Harbor River was widened to four lanes.[13][14]

In 1947, US 17 was relocated to stay onto King Street and Columbus Street in Charleston.[15]

In 1952, a one-way pair was created in Charleston near the Ashley River Bridge. By 1959, this had been modified again to use Spring Street.[15]

In 1956, US 17 was widened to four lanes between Ridgeland and Pocotaligo. That same year, it was widened to four lanes between what is now SC 171 and Downtown Charleston.

In 1961, a second draw span over the Ashley River was opened to traffic, this was done to reduce congestion.[16] This one was officially named the T. Allen Legare Bridge.[17]

In 1963, the segment of roadway between Myrtle Beach and Atlantic Beach was widened to four lanes.

The first tourist welcome center in South Carolina opened in February 1968 on US 17 near Little River.[18]

In December 1968, the segment of roadway in Downtown Charleston was moved off of local streets and onto the Crosstown Expressway.[19]

A segment of US 17 between Ridgeland and Point South once contained two four-lane divided sections. The first is in Coosawhatchie between north of the culvert for Little Bees Creek and north of the bridge over the Coosawhatchie River. From 1971 to 1975, portions of the segment were relocated onto I-95. The divided section in Coosawhatchie remains intact, while the northbound lane near the Tullifinny wetlands was closed, and today is used for a fishing pier, a parking lot of a church, and a private home.[citation needed]

In 1980, the road was widened to four lanes between Awendaw and McLellanville.[citation needed]

In 1981, a bypass of Myrtle Beach was opened, US 17 Business was designated in its former place. it involved constructing new roadways, as well as utilizing existing roadways.[citation needed]

In 1997, US 17 was rerouted to cross the Georgia state line through Savannah, this new segment replaced US 17 Alt. The old route into Georgia became part of an extended SC 170.[citation needed]

In 2005, the Crosstown Expressway segment concurrent with Lee Street was permanently closed. In its place, a new concurrency with I-26 was created, and a new Meeting Street interchange was also constructed. This was done as part of a project to replace the obsolete Cooper River bridges.[citation needed]

On April 21, 2010, the Crosstown Expressway was renamed the Septa Clark Expressway.[20]

ACE Basin widening project

[edit]
US 17 in the ACE Basin

The widening project addressed a 22-mile segment of the highway stretching from Gardens Corner in Beaufort County to Jacksonboro in Colleton County. This segment of the road, notorious for its high accident rate, was featured on a NBC Dateline special titled America's Most Dangerous Roads.[21] In 1985, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) recognized the need to improve the segment of US 17 due to substantial capacity and safety concerns.[22] The project faced delays due to environmental challenges.[23] Between 1997 and 2005, the segment experienced nearly 1,000 crashes, including 33 fatalities.[24]

The project widened the two-lane roadway into a four-lane highway with a grass median. The improvements included better roadway alignments, replacement of bridges, and improved intersections, including the US 17 / US 21 intersection, which was changed into a diamond interchange with a roundabout. The estimated cost for the entire project was $173.4 million.[25]

Name designations

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Charleston Nine Memorial Highway sign

Several sections of the highway have name designations. A section in the Crosstown from Cannon Street and Spring Street to the eastern terminus of I-26 is named the Septima P. Clark Parkway, after a U.S. civil rights activist.[26][27] A 3.6-mile (5.8 km) section in West Ashley running from South Carolina Highway 7 (SC 7) to South Carolina Highway 171 (SC 171) is named the Charleston Nine Memorial Highway, in honor of nine Charleston firefighters killed in the line of duty in the Charleston Sofa Super Store fire on June 18, 2007.[28] A section in Beaufort and Colleton counties is named the W. Brantley Harvey Highway.[29] A section from 8th Avenue North to Starwatch Drive in Horry County is named the George Rayford Vereen Highway.[30] A section from Old Jacksonboro Road to South Carolina Highway 7 (SC 7) is named the Curtis B. Inabinett, Sr. Highway.[31]

Major intersections

[edit]
CountyLocationmi[1][2][3][4][5][6]kmDestinationsNotes
Jasper0.0000.000

US 17 south / SR 404 Spur south – Savannah
Continuation from Georgia
4.1006.598
SC 315 north (South Okatie Highway) – Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort
Southern terminus of SC 315
6.61010.638
SC 170 west (Alligator Alley) – Port Wentworth
Southern end of SC 170 concurrency
Limehouse8.11013.052
SC 170 east (Freedom Parkway) – Hilton Head Island, Beaufort
Northern end of SC 170 concurrency
Hardeeville13.05021.002 I-95 – Florence, JacksonvilleI-95 exit 5
13.74022.112
US 321 north (Deerfield Road) – Augusta
Southern terminus of US 321; to Jasper Power Plant
14.05022.611 SC 46 (Main Street) – Tillman, Hilton Head Island
16.02025.782

US 278 east to I-95 – Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
Southern end of US 278 concurrency
Ridgeland26.41042.503
SR 13 south to I-95 – Savannah, Florence
Northern terminus of S-27-13
28.68046.156 SC 336 (Main Street) – Tillman
28.82046.381
US 278 west – Hampton
Northern end of US 278 concurrency
30.158–
30.670
48.535–
49.359

I-95 south – Savannah
Southern end of I-95 concurrency; I-95 exit 22
36.18058.226 SC 462 – CoosawhatchieI-95 exit 28
Point South40.560–
40.820
65.275–
65.693

I-95 north – Florence
Northern end of I-95 concurrency; I-95 exit 33
BeaufortPocotaligo42.58068.526


US 21 north (Castle Hall Road) / US 17 Alt. north – Yemassee, Walterboro
Southern end of US 21 concurrency; southern terminus of US 17 Alt.
Gardens Corner48.860–
49.120
78.633–
79.051

US 21 south (Trask Parkway) – Beaufort
Northern end of US 21 concurrency
ColletonGreen Pond61.14598.403
SC 303 north (Green Pond Highway) – Walterboro
Southern terminus of SC 303
Jacksonboro71.172114.540
SC 64 west (Charleston Highway) – Walterboro
Eastern terminus of SC 64
CharlestonOsborn78.160125.786
SC 174 south – Edisto Beach
Northern terminus of SC 174
Ravenel84.120135.378 SC 165 – Younges Island, Summerville
90.030144.889
SC 162 west – Hollywood, Edisto Beach
Eastern terminus of SC 162
Charleston97.440156.814
SC 7 north (Sam Rittenburg Boulevard)
Southern terminus of SC 7
97.530–
97.540
156.959–
156.975

I-526 east – North Charleston, Charleston International Airport
Western terminus of I-526; provides access to Charleston International Airport
101.060162.640 SC 171 (Wesley Drive) – James Island, Folly Beach
101.221–
101.340
162.899–
163.091

SC 61 north (St. Andrews Boulevard) – Summerville
No access from US 17 to SC 61 south, from SC 61 south to US 17 south, or from SC 61 north to US 17
101.440163.252
SC 700 south (Folly Road Boulevard) – Folly Beach
No access from US 17 north to SC 700; northern terminus of SC 700
101.823–
101.827
163.868–
163.875
Ashley River Memorial Bridge across the Ashley River
102.149–
102.220
164.393–
164.507

SC 30 west / Lockwood Drive – James Island, Folly Beach
Eastern terminus of SC 30
103.170166.036King Street (US 78)Southbound exit only; southern end of I-26 concurrency; eastern terminus of I-26; ramp end at Carolina Street, which leads to King Street.
103.750166.969
I-26 west – North Charleston, Columbia
Northern end of I-26 concurrency
103.857–
104.155
167.142–
167.621
Meeting Street (US 52)Southbound exit and northbound entrance
104.200–
104.820
167.694–
168.691
East Bay Street / Morrison Drive (US 52 Spur)Southbound exit and northbound entrance
CharlestonMount Pleasant line105.496169.779Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River
Mount Pleasant106.430–
106.565
171.282–
171.500

SC 703 north (Coleman Boulevard) – Sullivan's Island
Northbound exit and southbound entrance; southern terminus of SC 703
106.607171.567Wingo WayNo access from US 17 to Wingo Way or from Wingo Way to US 17 north
109.690–
109.780
176.529–
176.674



I-526 west / I-526 BS east (Chuck Dawley Boulevard) to SC 703 – North Charleston, Savannah
No access from US 17 north to I-526 Bus., from US 17 south to I-526, from I-526 ro US 17 north, or from I-526 Bus. to US 17 south; eastern terminus of I-526; western terminus of I-526 Bus.
110.130–
110.220
177.237–
177.382

I-526 west / Hungryneck Boulevard east – North Charleston, Savannah
Western terminus of Hungryneck Boulevard; Representative H.B. "Chip" Limehouse III Interchange
111.640179.667
SC 517 south (Isle of Palms Connector) – Isle of Palms
Northern terminus of SC 517
114.140183.691
SC 41 north / Dingle Road east – Huger
Southern terminus of SC 41; western terminus of Dingle Road
McClellanville140.060225.405
SC 45 north / South Pinckney Street south
Southern terminus of SC 45; northern terminus of South Pinckney Street
GeorgetownGeorgetown162.770–
162.879
261.953–
262.128




US 521 north (Highmarket Street) / US 701 north (Fraser Street) / US 17 Alt. south (Exchange Street) – Andrews, Walterboro, Conway
Northern terminus of US 17 Alt; southern terminus of US 521 and US 701
164.391–
165.070
264.562–
265.654
L.H. Siau Bridges across the Pee Dee, Black, and Waccamaw rivers (Intracoastal Waterway)
Murrells Inlet181.830292.627

US 17 Bus. north – Murrells Inlet
Southern terminus of US 17 Bus.
185.190298.034
SC 707 (Burgess Road) to SC 31 – Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet
GeorgetownHorry
county line
Murrells InletGarden City line185.570298.646

US 17 Bus. north (US 17 Conn. north) – Garden City, Surfside Beach
Northbound exit and southbound entrance; southern terminus of US 17 Conn.
HorryGarden City189.389304.792Glenns Bay Road south / Holmestown Road north – Surfside BeachInterchange
Socastee191.769–
191.775
308.622–
308.632

SC 544 (Dick Pond Road) to SC 31 – Socastee, Conway, Surfside Beach
Nelson Jackson Memorial Interchange
SocasteeMyrtle Beach line194.465312.961
SC 707 south (Socastee Boulevard) / Farrow Parkway south – Socastee, Horry-Georgetown Technical College Grand Strand Campus
Northern terminus of SC 707 and Farrow Parkway; interchange
Myrtle Beach196.595316.389 George Bishop Parkway west / Harrelson Boulevard south – Fantasy Harbour, Myrtle Beach International AirportEastern terminus of George Bishop Parkway; northern terminus of Harrelson Boulevard; interchange
197.625–
197.655
318.047–
318.095
US 501 – Myrtle Beach, ConwayCloverleaf interchange
201.905324.935
Grissom Parkway to SC 31 – Downtown
No northbound south exit
205.199–
205.545
330.236–
330.793


US 17 Bus. south (Kings Highway) – Myrtle Beach
Northern terminus of US 17 Bus.
207.325–
207.735
333.657–
334.317



SC 22 west (Conway Bypass) to SC 31 / US 501 – Conway
Eastern terminus of SC 22; interchange
North Myrtle Beach211.215339.918
SC 65 north (27th Avenue South) – Crescent Beach
Southern terminus of SC 65
213.685343.893Robert Edge Parkway north (SC 31 Conn. north) / Main Street south – Wampee, Downtown North Myrtle BeachSouthern terminus of SC 31 Conn. and Robert Edge Parkway; northern terminus of Main Street
215.725347.176
SC 9 south – Cherry Grove Beach
Southern end of SC 9 concurrency; interchange
Little River216.522–
216.523
348.458–
348.460
SC 90 – ConwayNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
216.575–
216.735
348.544–
348.801


SC 9 north to SC 31 – Loris, Dillon
Northern end of SC 9 concurrency
217.825–
217.845
350.555–
350.588

SC 90 west – Conway
Eastern terminus of SC 90
220.835355.399
SC 179 north / Graystone Boulevard – Calabash
Southern terminus of SC 179
221.454356.396
US 17 north – Shallotte, Wilmington
Continuation into North Carolina
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]

logo U.S. roads portal

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Highway Logmile Report". South Carolina Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  7. ^ Bureau of Public Roads & American Association of State Highway Officials (November 11, 1926). United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials (Map). 1:7,000,000. Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey. OCLC 32889555. Retrieved July 13, 2024 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  8. ^ a b c d "Overview map of US 17 in South Carolina" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Sawyer, C.M. (1929). Map of the Official Atlantic Coastal Highway (Map). Scale not given. n.p.: Atlantic Coastal Highway. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010 – via University of South Carolina Map Collections.
  10. ^ Moore, John Hammond (1987). The South Carolina Highway Department, 1917–1987. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press. pp. 74–75. ISBN 0872495280.
  11. ^ Moore (1987), p. 139.
  12. ^ "End of US highway 17". US Ends.com. December 15, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  13. ^ "S-27-424SERVICE over Tullifinny River (No. 1), Jasper County, South Carolina". BridgeReports.com.
  14. ^ "S-27-424 over Tullifinny River (No. 2), Jasper County, South Carolina". BridgeReports.com.
  15. ^ a b "Historic US highway endpoints in Charleston, SC". US Ends.com. May 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  16. ^ "Ashley River Bridges". SC Picture Project. n.d. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  17. ^ "Bicycling the Ashley River Bridge in 1897". Charleston County Public Library. April 6, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Moore (1987), p. 244.
  19. ^ Beach, Dana; Saunders, William (September 14, 2020) [December 3, 2016]. "Reverse Divisive Legacy of the Charleston Crosstown". The Post and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  20. ^ "The Septima P. Clark Expressway and Park". Virtual Tour: Septima P. Clark's Charleston. Lowcountry Digital History Initiative. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  21. ^ Mankiewicz, Josh (May 15, 2005). "Dangerous roads". NBC News. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  22. ^ Application to the South Carolina State Transportation Infrastructure Bank for the US 17 Widening from Gardens Corner to Jacksonboro (PDF). South Carolina Department of Transportation. p. 5. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  23. ^ Riddle, Lyn (April 7, 1993). "ENVIRONMENT : Road Project Collides With Wetlands Plan : S. Carolina river basin rich in wildlife is threatened by proposed widening of route". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  24. ^ Findlay, Prentiss (May 15, 2011). "Road through paradise gets wider: Work to make U.S. 17 safer continues in scenic Ace Basin". Post and Courier. The Post & Courier. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Application to the South Carolina State Transportation Infrastructure Bank for the US 17 Widening from Gardens Corner to Jacksonboro (PDF). South Carolina Department of Transportation. p. 25. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  26. ^ "The Septima P. Clark Expressway and Park". Lowcountry Digital History Initiative. College of Charleston. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  27. ^ "Septima Clark Parkway Now Official". City of Charleston, South Carolina. May 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  28. ^ U.S. 17 stretch to honor firefighters who died in sofa store blazeArchived 2008-10-17 at the Wayback Machine The Post and Courier, March 25, 2008. Accessed March 27, 2008.
  29. ^ "1995-96 Bill 4961: W. Brantley Harvey Highway". South Carolina Legislature Online. South Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  30. ^ "Bill S*1267". South Carolina Legislature Online. South Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "2021-2022 Bill 450: Curtis B. Inabinett, Sr. Highway". South Carolina Legislature Online. South Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
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U.S. Route 17
Previous state:
Georgia
South Carolina Next state:
North Carolina