Ahead of the November 2024 voter referendum, Horry County Government is providing community members a number of resources related to the proposed RIDE 4 program.
In Horry County, 'RIDE' stands for 'Road Improvement and Development Effort.'
The RIDE program uses primarily local funding sources to make necessary improvements to local roads and transportation infrastructure. These improvements serve those who live and work in Horry County, as well as seasonal visitors.
The first Horry County RIDE program began in 1996 and lasted until 2018. It used funding from the hospitality fee to complete 23 major projects, which included the SC 22 Conway Bypass, SC Highway 31, SC Highway 544 widening, Fantasy Harbor bridge and interchanges, and parts of Robert Grissom Parkway.
RIDE 2 was approved by voters in 2006 and began in 2007. It initiated a one-cent sales tax dedicated to roads. RIDE 2 brought 15 projects, which included the continuation of Highway 31, the construction of International Drive, the widening of Highway 707 and Glenns Bay Road, and a number of other road improvements.
RIDE 3 was approved by voters in 2016 and officially began in 2017, continuing the existing one-cent sales tax program with 20 more projects. Some RIDE 3 projects are already at or near completion, including the Palmetto Pointe Boulevard extension, Carolina Forest Boulevard widening, and Highway 501 frontage roads.
RIDE 3 will expire in April of 2025. At that time, barring any further action, the one-cent sales tax funding collection will end and effectively cap the money available for the remaining projects on the RIDE 3 program list.
During the general election on Nov. 5, 2024, a voter referendum will take place related to the proposed RIDE 4 program.
The RIDE 4 ballot question, exactly as it will appear on election day, can be found on the County website: https://www.horrycountysc.gov/media/b4chuvry/final-ballot-question.pdf
Proposed RIDE 4 projects are located in unincorporated Horry County, within city and town limits, and along major highways and intersections.
If approved by voters, the RIDE 4 transportation tax would replace the existing one-cent sales tax (i.e. RIDE 3) with a one-cent transportation sales tax.
Over 25 years, the program would generate an estimated $6 billion in revenue to fund the list of predetermined infrastructure projects and project sets.
The complete list of RIDE 4 proposed projects can be found on the County website at https://www.horrycountysc.gov/ride-4/