DHEC awards coastal public access improvement grants

COLUMBIA, SC – Three communities will work to improve public access to coastal areas, thanks to grants from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

“Our beautiful coastal resources are assets that should be shared with everyone,” said DHEC Director Catherine Templeton. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to help these community partners make their resources more available to our state’s citizens and visitors.”

The funding for the coastal access improvement grants was made available through a state budget proviso that allows DHEC to expend a portion of available beach nourishment funds on coastal access improvement. Individual project budgets are in the process of being finalized, and each municipality is required to provide matching local funding for each project.

The projects, totaling $251,390 are:

1. The City of North Myrtle Beach will construct or reconstruct handicap accessible boardwalk/dune walkover structures at 53rd Avenue North, 4th Avenue North, 2nd Avenue South, and 14th Avenue South. The city will also construct a restroom facility at 4th Avenue North and will construct a handicap accessible boardwalk/emergency vehicle ramp at 45th Avenue South. This project will utilize $109,500 in state funds and $125,500 in local match for a project total of $235,000.

2. The City of Myrtle Beach will replace dune walkover structures at 39th Avenue North, 29th Avenue North and 27th Avenue South. This project will utilize $89,890 in state funds and $89,890 in local match for a project total of $179,780.

3. The City of Folly Beach will reconstruct the beach walkover located on a city-owned right-of-way at 13th Street and East Ashley. The city will also construct an ADA accessible beach walkover, an ADA compliant changing station and ADA compliant parking spaces at the beach access located between 1561 and 1563 East Ashley. This project will utilize $52,000 in state funds and $52,000 in local match for a project total of $104,000.