SELL Stirs up Storm

By Jason Lesley

September 14, 2008

Georgetown Times

The Southern Evacuation Lifeline, a proposed hurricane evacuation road running through southern Horry County, stirred up a storm of its own at a public hearing at the Waccamaw Branch of Coastal Carolina University in Litchfield.

Georgetown County Council members Glen O'Connell and Jerry Oakley, who represent districts on the Waccamaw Neck, told a large number of citizens gathered for the hearing that they support construction of the $700 million highway because it will alleviate crowding on U.S. Highway 17 through Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island and on through Georgetown in case of an evacuation.

The S.C. Department of Transportation announced the preferred route -- there were nine alternatives in the final plan and 28 originally -- for the 28-mile road last month and has completed a draft environmental study. It's only the beginning of studies, according to Mike Barbee of the S.C. Department of Transportation. He said without the funding in place, he could give residents a timeline. The proposed route will connect U.S. 17 near Surfside Beach with Highway 22 west of Conway.

"I am an outspoken advocate of proceeding with this project," O'Connell said. "It is very important to Georgetown County."

Oakley said citizens from his district "overwhelmingly support the Southern Evacuation Lifeline (SELL)."

Despite those endorsements, others at the hearing expressed sentiments ranging from doubt about the highway to outrage.

Many residents of The Lakes, a 500-home subdivision off U.S. 17 south of Myrtle Beach, objected to the preferred route because it comes so close to their homes and uses land they planned for a second community exit.

Carmine Puchino, a resident of The Lakes, said 300 residents had signed a petition asking the DOT to reconsider its route.

Nancy Cave, a representative of the Coastal Conservation League and a member of the task force that has met for two years to develop plans for the road, said she opposes the entire project.

"I am here to state the Coastal Conservation League's opposition to this road," she said. "It has never been about evacuation. It's about large land holders and their operatives opening up large tracts for development. The taxpayers can't afford a $700 million road when this state's bridges and roads are in shambles. SCDOT has wasted millions of dollars already."

Gillian Roy, a Pawleys Island resident and board member of the Coastal Conservation League, agreed with Cave.

"This road gives me the 'willies'," she said. "I have lived in New Orleans and saw the effects of Katrina on a city with no plan. When Gustav hit, New Orleans was a ghost town. And New Orleans didn't build any new roads. They developed a better plan."

Tom Herron, also a member of the task force, said evacuation has always been the driving force behind the road.

"There has not been one single solitary individual involved in this process or anybody I know that's connected with it that has any ulterior motive whatsoever," he said. "The cynicism that reigns right now ... is pretty tragic. This is the finest example of how the sun can shine on a project."

Charlie Thompson, of the Burgess Community, said his property will be directly affected by the road's proposed route. He said it will change his view of a black gum and cypress swamp to one of a bridge and an interstate.

Additional comments will be accepted by DOT until Sept. 29. They may be mailed to Mike Barbee, program manager, S.C. Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 191, Columbia, S.C., 29202-0191.

To learn more about the road visit www.southernevacuatiionlifeline.com.