Myrtle Beach is investing in infrastructure like a city that knows it’s outgrowing its roads and runway. The airport just added six new gates in a $93.5 million expansion. The primary runway is getting reconstructed. Highway 501 is being widened. And I-73 right-of-way acquisition is 95-99% complete — the closest this long-debated interstate has ever been to reality. For a market that 20 million tourists visit every year, this infrastructure is overdue and directly impacts commercial property values.
-
Seasonal demand volatility: Infrastructure supports both tourism peaks and off-season logistics operations. This creates different demand patterns. -
Georgetown Port access: Improved road access to Georgetown Port creates distribution opportunity that did not exist before. -
Summer tourism capacity: Road improvements are needed just to handle existing seasonal tourism traffic. This is maintenance-level spending. -
Off-season logistics growth: New industrial logistics demand is creating off-season capacity need. This is the growth driver.
Myrtle Beach International Airport
| Airport project | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Concourse A expansion (6 new gates) | $93.5M | Completed Dec 2025, 17-month build |
| Runway reconstruction Phase 1 | $100M+ | Starting Feb 2026, ~20 months |
| Fred Nash Blvd extension | $19.3M | Connecting to Harrelson Blvd |
| Master Plan Update | — | Long-range expansion planning |
The $93.5 million concourse expansion added 50,000 square feet and six new gates in just 17 months. That speed tells you how urgent the need was. MYR handled over 3 million passengers in 2024, and the new gates allow the airport to accommodate additional carriers and frequencies. More flights mean more tourists, which means more revenue for the businesses that serve them — and more demand for commercial space.
Myrtle Beach Infrastructure Scorecard
Evaluate Myrtle Beach property against infrastructure and demand factors:
- I-95 corridor capacity: Increased capacity from northern markets improves access
- US-17 road improvements: Coastal roads being widened for tourism and logistics traffic
- Georgetown Port connection: Road improvements to Port south of Myrtle Beach create logistics opportunity
- Seasonal traffic pattern: Peak summer traffic requires infrastructure; off-season logistics is growth driver
The runway reconstruction starting in February 2026 is a massive project. The primary 9,502-foot runway is showing its age and needs full reconstruction. The airport will operate on a temporary runway during Phase 1 (about 20 months), with Phase 2 following. This is a $200M+ project when fully complete.
Highway projects
Highway 501 widening from Gardner Lacey Road to Highway 544 is a $65.1 million project starting summer 2025. This is the main artery from Conway to the beach, and anyone who’s sat in beach traffic on 501 on a summer Saturday understands why this widening is critical.
The Highway 31 corridor continues to develop as the primary north-south expressway alternative to US-17. Plans for a southern extension from SC-544 to SC-707 and a northern extension toward the NC state line would dramatically improve connectivity for the growing communities on the west side of the Grand Strand.
Interstate 73: Finally getting real
I-73 has been discussed for decades. But here’s what’s actually happening: SCDOT has completed 95-99% of right-of-way acquisition between I-95 and Highway 22. The RIDE 4 program, which passed voter approval in November 2024 and went into effect May 2025, provides funding for the Horry County stretch.
Related: Top Employers in the Myrtle Beach Metro: Beyond the Boardwalk
Related: Growth Drivers of Myrtle Beach
When I-73 connects Myrtle Beach to I-95, it eliminates the Highway 501 bottleneck entirely. Trucks can move directly from the interstate system to the Grand Strand without fighting beach traffic. For industrial and distribution properties, that’s a fundamental change in accessibility. As we covered in our Myrtle Beach growth drivers piece, the MBREDC has 42 active projects in their pipeline, partly because of the improving infrastructure picture.
Ocean outfall and beach protection
The $43 million deepwater ocean outfall project improves stormwater management and reduces beach erosion, with completion expected March 2026. Beach renourishment started in North Myrtle Beach in December 2025, moving south through Myrtle Beach and Garden City in 2026. These may not seem like commercial real estate projects, but beach quality directly drives tourism, and tourism drives the entire Horry County economy.
What it means for commercial property
Better airport capacity brings more visitors and more economic activity. I-73 would be transformational for Myrtle Beach storage and industrial markets by opening new corridors. Highway widening improves accessibility to commercial properties throughout Horry County.
Seller takeaway
Myrtle Beach infrastructure is supporting both tourism and logistics growth. Position your property to capture off-season demand from emerging industrial operations. Call Roth Capital at 704-600-3839 to discuss your Myrtle Beach property and infrastructure alignment.
If you own property in the Myrtle Beach area, the infrastructure investment pipeline is the strongest it’s ever been. That matters for property values. Call me. 704-600-3839.
Ready to explore your options?
Tell us about your property. We will follow up within one business day.
Recent Comments