News Title:River Oaks Drive Widening Project Update: Progress and Impact on Surrounding New Home Communities
Voters in Horry County approved the new 1% transportation sales tax for RIDE 4 on November 5, 2024 - with the RIDE 4 program officially beginning on May 1, 2025 (after RIDE 3 ends).
RIDE 3 tax collections in Horry County officially concluded on April 30, 2025.
RIDE 4 tax collections in Horry County officially began on May 1, 2025.
Even though the 1-cent sales tax collection period has now expired for RIDE 3, as of April 2026, there are still about a dozen construction projects in RIDE 3 that have not yet been completed. There is no law or anything in the ballot that requires a strict “finish all RIDE 3 project first, then start RIDE 4 projects” sequence - the program is designed to run multiple projects in parallel, not one after another. As a result, new RIDE 4 projects can begin while some RIDE 3 projects are still being finished. From a funding perspective, Horry County officials have expressed confidence that they padded cost estimates enough to avoid major shortfalls in RIDE 3 projects - but RIDE 4 can still be used as a safety net for any underfunded RIDE 3 projects.
As of April 2026, with respect to RIDE 4, there are two projects that have already gotten some traction – both in the Design and Engineering Phase:
SC Hwy 90 widening from East Cox Ferry Road to Little River ($745 million dollar budget)
River Oaks Drive Widening ($142 million dollar budget)
The River Oaks Drive Widening project will entail widening of River Oaks Drive to 4-lanes with turn lanes at intersection including multimodal facilities (entire length). River Oaks Drive runs from Highway 501 west to International Drive.
Horry County is providing updates to the public based upon 4 project phases
Design and Engineering – during this phase numerous activities occur, i.e. design bids reviewed and contract(s) secured, followed by topographic surveys, traffic studies, determination of lane widths, road alignment, intersection, wetland delineation, stormwater planning, etc. with a final output being a fully engineered set of plans.
Right of Way Acquisition – during this phase the county will secure any land necessary to build the project
Construction – during this phase the project is put out to bid, contracts are awarded, schedules are finalized and the physical construction occurs, including clearing, grading, drainage, multimodal facilities, road base and paving, signals, signage, lighting, yet,
Completed – during this phase includes final inspections and punch list items are completed and the phase concludes with the roadway is officially opened to the public
As of April 2026, the River Oaks Drive Widening project remains in the Design and Engineering Phase – and the project is “under design contract”. As noted earlier, RIDE 3 carryover projects should have minimal impact on this River Oaks Drive Widening RIDE 4 project that is already underway.
There are several new home communities on the north side of River Oaks Drive that will be impacted by this project:
Berkshire Forest - Pulte Homes (Centex) first starting selling homes in Berkshire Forest in 2005 and completed development in Berkshire Forest in 2024. Berkshire Forest, with 925 single-family homes and 950 multi-family homes is the largest community in Carolina Forest.
Village Oaks – A D. R. Horton new home community with 72 single family homes in the back end of this community and 141 single family homes being rented in the front side of this community closer to River Oaks Drive. The 141 single family homes for lease are in the section named The Grove at Village Oaks.
Traditions at Carolina Forest – A Chesapeake Homes new home community that began presales in the fall of 2024. Chesapeake Homes will be building over 300 single-family homes in Traditions at Carolina Forest.
Belle Grove – A relatively mature community that completed development several years ago with close to 400 single family homes.
There are several new home communities on the south side of River Oaks Drive that will be impacted by this project:
North Cove – Mungo Homes will be building over 200 single family homes in North Cove. As of April 2026, land development is well underway and homes are expected to start presales in August/September of 2026. North Cove is one of several new home subdivisions being developed on the land previously occupied by the now-closed River Oaks Golf courses.
Carolina Waterway Plantation – A relatively mature community adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway that features custom homes. As of April 2026, 281 out of the 364 single family homes have been developed. Construction within this new home community is continuing
Waterway Palms Plantation– A relatively mature community adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway that features custom homes. As of April 2026, 599 out of the 759 single family homes have been developed. Construction within this new home community is continuing
The Bluffs on the Waterway– A relatively mature community adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway that features custom homes. As of April 2026, 378 out of the 496 single family homes have been developed. Construction within this new home community is continuing
The complete list of RIDE 4 projects can be found on the County website at RIDE 4.