If you are considering a move to North Myrtle Beach, one of the most important pieces of local infrastructure is changing right now. In September 2026, the South Carolina Department of Transportation began construction on improvements along U.S. 17—North Kings Highway—the road that connects many of the neighborhoods, businesses and everyday destinations residents use most.
For prospective homeowners, this is more than a traffic story. Transportation projects can affect daily routines, pedestrian safety, access to businesses and how different neighborhoods feel over time.
What is being improved?
According to the City of North Myrtle Beach, the SCDOT project includes concrete medians in areas with a high frequency of angle crashes, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, crosswalks, countdown pedestrian signals, traffic-signal upgrades and intersection-operation improvements.
The work involves U.S. 17 intersections at 46th Avenue South, Windy Hill Road, 37th Avenue South, 33rd Avenue South and 27th Avenue South. Construction is expected to occur primarily overnight, and the city says the project is anticipated to be completed by June 2027.
Why this matters if you are moving here
Visitors often experience Highway 17 mainly as the route between restaurants, attractions and their vacation rental. Residents depend on it differently. It can be part of the trip to the grocery store, medical appointments, work, schools and services. Changes intended to reduce certain crash risks and improve pedestrian crossings therefore have a direct quality-of-life dimension.
During construction, buyers looking in the Windy Hill and southern North Myrtle Beach areas should expect occasional overnight delays and temporary closures in active work zones. That inconvenience is temporary; the more important question is how the finished corridor functions.
Infrastructure should be part of a home search
When comparing homes, buyers naturally focus on bedrooms, square footage and distance to the ocean. I also recommend paying attention to the road network around a property. How many routes do you have in and out? Is a grocery trip easy? Can you comfortably reach the beach? What is the intersection nearest the neighborhood like during peak season?
The city is also pursuing improvements around Water Tower Road, including turn-lane projects advertised in 2026. That is another reminder that growth west of the traditional beach neighborhoods is putting transportation infrastructure into sharper focus.
Do not confuse construction with a guarantee of property appreciation
Infrastructure investment can make an area more functional and attractive, but no road project guarantees that a particular home will increase in value. Real estate remains property-specific. Location, condition, insurance, HOA health, supply and buyer demand all matter.
What infrastructure news can do is help buyers understand the direction of the community and ask better questions before purchasing.
Look at the home—and the community around it
North Myrtle Beach continues to evolve. For someone planning to relocate, following city planning and transportation projects provides context that a listing page simply cannot.
If you would like to compare neighborhoods and understand how location, access and upcoming changes fit your plans, contact Kim Stevens, REALTOR® at (843) 222-9327 or KimStevens100@gmail.com. I would be happy to help you look beyond the front door.
