In a significant development for the I-73 expansion, Horry County Council has officially endorsed naming the proposed interstate the President Donald J. Trump Highway. This decision underscores the county's commitment to advancing the long-anticipated project.

During the Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel in Myrtle Beach, Governor Henry McMaster expressed his support for the naming initiative, stating, “I think that’s a terrific idea. I think it would be very nice to have a street, a road, a highway named after Donald Trump.” 

The push to name I-73 after the former president gained momentum when State Representative Heather Crawford introduced a bill in January to designate the South Carolina portion of the interstate as the President Donald J. Trump Highway. Crawford emphasized that the highway would bolster hurricane evacuation routes and stimulate economic growth for South Carolina residents and visitors. 

Funding for the I-73 project has been a contentious issue. Governor McMaster's executive budgets for 2024, 2025, and 2026 did not allocate funds for the expansion, citing a perceived decline in local support. However, in November 2024, Horry County residents approved the RIDE IV program, committing $450 million in local matching funds for the construction of I-73. This funding is contingent upon the South Carolina Department of Transportation entering into construction contracts to complete the interstate from Horry County to I-95. 

The I-73 expansion is poised to provide a direct link from the Grand Strand to I-95, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting economic development. The proposed naming of the highway after President Trump reflects the project's significance and the community's recognition of his administration's role in advancing the initiative.