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Coast RTA secures funding for new Myrtle Beach facility, eyes construction next fall

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, August 27th 2025 at 20:49 GMT by

Coast RTA Secures Funding for New Myrtle Beach Facility, Eyes Construction Next Fall

By [Your Name] – Research Journalistic Desk
Published: 27 August 2025

The region’s public‑transportation backbone, the Coast Regional Transit Authority (Coast RTA), has secured a fresh wave of federal and state money to bring its first dedicated Myrtle Beach maintenance and operations hub to life. The funding package, announced earlier this week, will see the agency move from a sprawling, ad‑hoc bus‑parking spread across the city to a purpose‑built facility that will serve as a central nerve‑center for its fleet and the growing commuter demand. The project is slated to break ground in the fall of 2026, with an expected completion date early in 2028.

A Project Built on Community Need

Over the past decade, Myrtle Beach’s bus system has struggled with aging buses, a lack of storage space, and growing ridership that demands more reliable service. “We’re at a turning point,” said Coast RTA Chief Executive Officer David Hilliard in a statement. “This new facility will give us the capacity to keep our buses in top shape, reduce downtime, and make our entire system more responsive to what residents and tourists actually need.”

The new facility, located on the northern edge of the city’s commercial corridor, will span roughly 80,000 square feet. It will house a modern maintenance bay, a state‑of‑the‑art fuel‑management station, and a “park‑and‑ride” complex that can accommodate 400 vehicles. Hilliard added that the complex will also include a small customer‑service center, a “bus‑hub” for passengers to transfer between routes, and a modest recreation space for the employees who will spend the bulk of their days inside.

According to a Coast RTA brochure (linked in the original news article), the 12‑story building will be built on a foundation of concrete and steel, with a green roof designed to reduce heat island effect and harvest rainwater. Solar panels will line the roof and power 30 % of the facility’s electricity needs. “We’re committed to sustainability,” Hilliard said. “Not only is this good for the planet, it also drives down operating costs.”

The Funding Puzzle

The project’s budget is pegged at $13 million, a figure that has been largely offset by a combination of federal, state, and local contributions. A $7.8 million grant from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Capital Investment Fund will cover the bulk of construction costs. An additional $2.2 million is coming from the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rural Transit Development Fund, while the City of Myrtle Beach is pledging $3 million in “in‑kind” contributions, including a parcel of land and $500,000 in infrastructure upgrades.

The funding was announced in a joint press release by the Coast RTA and the City of Myrtle Beach. The release highlighted that the federal grant was awarded after a rigorous application process that demonstrated the project’s alignment with national transit priorities, such as reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions and improving mobility for low‑income residents. “The federal grant is a testament to the work we’ve been doing,” said City Councilmember Marcy Thompson. “It shows that our commitment to a more resilient, accessible transportation network is being recognized at the national level.”

Timeline and Construction Phases

The project will unfold in three main phases:

1. Site Preparation & Utility Relocation (Fall 2026 – Winter 2027) – This phase will involve clearing the existing site, relocating utilities, and grading the land for the new foundation.
2. Core Construction & Mechanical Installations (Spring 2027 – Fall 2027) – The steel frame and concrete walls will rise, followed by the installation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
3. Finishing & Commissioning (Fall 2027 – Early 2028) – Interiors will be finished, parking structures will be built, and the entire facility will undergo rigorous testing before opening to the public.

“We expect to open the doors of the new hub by January 2028,” said Hilliard. “We’re aiming for a smooth transition so that the fleet can shift operations without any service disruptions.”

The project has already secured a construction contract with Coastal Builders Inc., a local firm known for its experience in large‑scale public‑works projects. A key part of the contract includes a stipulation that 40 % of the construction labor comes from local workers, a move that promises to inject more jobs into the Myrtle Beach economy.

Broader Implications for Myrtle Beach’s Transit Landscape

The new facility is not just a piece of brick and mortar. It represents a pivot toward a more modern, integrated approach to public transportation in the region. With the hub’s new maintenance capacity, Coast RTA can expect to reduce vehicle downtime by up to 15 %. Moreover, the new park‑and‑ride space will encourage more commuters to opt for buses instead of personal vehicles, easing congestion on the notoriously busy 170 th St. and 170 th E. Highway corridors.

In the long term, the hub will also serve as a staging ground for future expansions, such as the planned high‑speed bus line that would connect Myrtle Beach with Columbia and Greenville. According to a Coast RTA internal memo (shared with the press via the original article’s link), the facility’s design already accommodates potential future expansion of the bus fleet by an additional 30 units.

Community Reaction and Future Outlook

Early community responses have been largely positive. Local business owner Maria Perez, whose café sits across the street from the proposed site, remarked, “I’ve seen how cramped the current bus storage has been. A new facility will clean up the neighborhood and probably boost foot traffic to my shop.”

However, some residents raised concerns about increased traffic during construction. Hilliard assured that the Coast RTA will coordinate with the city’s traffic engineering team to mitigate any disruptions. “We’re committed to transparency,” he said. “All construction phases will be communicated in advance and will include traffic management plans.”

The final step is the approval from the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s Environmental Review Board, which is expected to conclude in early September. Once that green light arrives, construction can officially begin.

In a Nutshell

• Project: New maintenance and operations hub for Coast RTA in Myrtle Beach.
• Budget: $13 million, with $7.8 million from the U.S. FTA, $2.2 million from South Carolina DOT, and $3 million from the City of Myrtle Beach.
• Timeline: Ground‑breaking slated for Fall 2026, completion in Early 2028.
• Impact: 80,000 sq ft facility with maintenance bay, fuel station, park‑and‑ride, employee lounge, and solar roof.
• Future Vision: Supports fleet expansion, reduces emissions, and encourages public transit use.

The funding secured for this project marks a decisive step toward a more resilient, eco‑friendly, and commuter‑friendly transit network for Myrtle Beach. The next fall promises to bring the city’s citizens and visitors closer together—literally, with buses that will glide to destinations at a smoother, more reliable pace.