Editing Interstate 73 (section)

==Future==
===South Carolina===
{{Main|Interstate 73 in South Carolina}}
[[File:I-73 (Future).svg|70px|right]]
I-73 and I-74 both will begin at [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina|Myrtle Beach]]. I-74 splits to the northwest to [[Rockingham, North Carolina]].<ref name=rockingham-signing>{{Cite web |url = https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/dsplan/2019%20Highway%20Letting/10-15-19/Plans%20and%20Proposals/R-3421A_B%20Richmond_Montgomery_34446.3.4_C204368/R-3421A/Standard%20PDF%20Files/250%20Signing%20Plans2.pdf |title = Signing Plans 2 |date = July 5, 2019 |publisher = [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] |access-date = December 27, 2018 |archive-date = August 31, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240831031729/https://xfer.services.ncdot.gov/dsplan/2019%20Highway%20Letting/10-15-19/Plans%20and%20Proposals/R-3421A_B%20Richmond_Montgomery_34446.3.4_C204368/R-3421A/Standard%20PDF%20Files/250%20Signing%20Plans2.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>
Future I-73 will traverse northeastern South Carolina, from the [[Grand Strand]] to [[Bennettsville]]. The current alignment will replace [[South Carolina Highway 22]] (SC&nbsp;22) and run parallel north of [[U.S. Route 501|US&nbsp;501]] and [[South Carolina Highway 38|SC&nbsp;38]]. In June 2017, the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|US Army Corps of Engineers]] approved permits required to build I-73.

On May 30, 2006, the [[South Carolina Department of Transportation]] (SCDOT) announced its preferred routing of I-73 between Myrtle Beach and [[Interstate 95|I-95]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Conservationists find I-73 route acceptable |work = The Post and Courier |location = Charleston, South Carolina |date = May 31, 2006 |page = B3 |issn = 1061-5105 }}</ref> I-73 will begin where [[South Carolina Highway 22|SC&nbsp;22]] starts at [[U.S. Route 17|US&nbsp;17]] near [[Briarcliffe Acres, South Carolina|Briarcliffe Acres]]. It will then proceed northwesterly, crossing the proposed routing of I-74 (currently [[South Carolina Highway 31|SC&nbsp;31]], the Carolina Bays Parkway). After passing [[Conway, South Carolina|Conway]], I-73 will leave SC&nbsp;22 at a new interchange to be constructed {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} west of [[U.S. Route 701|US&nbsp;701]] and will then use a new highway to be built between SC&nbsp;22 and [[South Carolina Highway 917|SC&nbsp;917]] north of [[Cool Spring, South Carolina|Cool Spring]]. I-73 will then use an upgraded SC&nbsp;917 to cross the [[Little Pee Dee River]]. It will then proceed on a new freeway alignment between SC&nbsp;917 and [[Interstate 95|I-95]]<ref>{{cite news |last = Wilson |first = Zane |title = A Route at Last |work = The Sun News |location = Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |date = May 31, 2006 |page = A1 |oclc = 27119790 }}</ref> that would have an interchange with [[U.S. Route 76|US&nbsp;76]] west of [[Mullins, South Carolina|Mullins]] and then would proceed northwesterly to an exit with [[U.S. Route 501|US&nbsp;501]] near [[Latta, South Carolina|Latta]], passing that city to the south before intersecting I-95 near SC&nbsp;38.<ref>{{cite news |last = Wilson |first = Zane |title = A Route at Last |work = The Sun News |location = Myrtle Beach, SC |date = May 31, 2006 |page = A1 |oclc = 27119790 }}</ref> After crossing I-95, I-73 will use the chosen middle route, {{citation needed span|one of six potential alternative corridors that were studied all of which|date=June 2012}} roughly paralleling SC&nbsp;38 to proceed further north to the North Carolina state line.<ref name=NEIS>{{cite web |author = Staff |url = http://www.i73insc.com/northern_status.shtml |title = I-73 Environmental Impact Study |publisher = [[South Carolina Department of Transportation]] |access-date = August 26, 2012 |archive-date = August 31, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240831031731/http://www.i73insc.com/northern_status.shtml |url-status = live }}</ref> These alternative corridors were formally announced to the public on September 7, 2006, at a meeting in [[Bennettsville, South Carolina|Bennettsville]]. The number of possible routes was reduced to three, and a final decision on the preferred northern route was announced on July 19, 2007. The central route caused the least disruption to homes, farms, and wetlands.<ref>{{cite news |first = Tonya |last = Root |title = Plan for North Leg Revealed |work = The Sun News |location = Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |date = July 20, 2007 |page = A1 |oclc = 27119790 }}</ref> [[North Carolina Department of Transportation|NCDOT]] and SCDOT previously agreed to an I-73 corridor crossing the state line along SC&nbsp;38 and [[North Carolina Highway 38|NC&nbsp;38]] near [[Hamlet, North Carolina]], on February 11, 2005.<ref name=NEIS/> {{citation needed span|Previously, I-73 had been planned to cross the state line further west, near [[U.S. Route 1 in North Carolina|US&nbsp;1]] south of [[Rockingham, North Carolina]].|date=November 2011}}

In February 2008, the [[record of decision]] (ROD) for the final EIS for the section of I-73 from I-95 to SC&nbsp;22 was signed. An October 22, 2008, ceremony marked the signing of the ROD for the section from near Hamlet to I-95.<ref>{{cite news |title = Ceremony Marks Step Forward for Northern Route of I-73 |work = [[The Morning News (American newspaper)|The Morning News]] |location = Florence, South Carolina |date = October 20, 2008 }}{{page needed|date= August 2012}}</ref>

On November 7, 2011, Myrtle Beach city council member Wayne Gray asked area elected officials to consider using [[Road Improvement and Development Effort]] (RIDE) funds to pay for a portion of I-73.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/11/07/2486023/myrtle-beach-horry-county-and.html |title = Myrtle Beach, Horry County and legislators talk I-73, cell phones, taxes and more at joint meeting |last = Anderson |first = Lorena |work = The Sun News |location = Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |date = November 7, 2011 |access-date = November 15, 2011 |oclc = 27119790 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120421081235/http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/11/07/2486023/myrtle-beach-horry-county-and.html |archive-date = April 21, 2012 }}</ref>

In June 2012, Miley and Associates of [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]] recommended improvements to SC&nbsp;38 and US&nbsp;501 to create the Grand Strand Expressway (GSX), a position long held by the Coastal Conservation League, which asked for the study. South Carolina Representative [[Alan D. Clemmons]], head of the National I-73 Corridor Association, said such a plan had been considered but was not likely.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/06/23/2902772/study-favors-updating-existing.html |title = Study Favors Updating Existing Roads Rather than Building Interstate&nbsp;73 |last = Kelley |first = Amanda |work = The Sun News |location = Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |date = June 23, 2012 |access-date = June 26, 2012 |oclc = 27119790 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120626044941/http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/06/23/2902772/study-favors-updating-existing.html |archive-date = June 26, 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Nancy Cave of the Coastal Conservation League reiterated support for upgrading SC&nbsp;38 and US&nbsp;501, along with [[U.S. Route 521|US&nbsp;521]] and [[South Carolina Highway 9|SC&nbsp;9]], after results of a new study were presented at an August 1, 2012, meeting of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The study claimed that 90,000&nbsp;people could leave the area 10&nbsp;hours faster in an evacuation with I-73 and [[Southern Evacuation Lifeline]] (SELL) both in place.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/08/01/2973116/new-evacuation-study-has-chamber.html |title = New Evacuation Study Has Chamber Backing, but Critics Say They Have Better Route |last1 = Jones |last2 = Grooms |first1 = Steve |first2 = Vicki |work = The Sun News |location = Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |date = August 1, 2012 |access-date = August 2, 2012 |oclc = 27119790 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120803012505/http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/08/01/2973116/new-evacuation-study-has-chamber.html |archive-date = August 3, 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

The "I-73 Intermediate Traffic and Revenue Study" by C&M Associates, dated February 2016, was to be presented to state transportation officials March 24, 2016, and included upgrades to SC&nbsp;22. [[Road Improvement and Development Effort|RIDE III]], if approved by voters, would also provide funding for the [[Southern Evacuation Lifeline]],<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article67875812.html |title = Study links SC 22, southern evacuation route, to build I-73 |last = Hudson |first = Audrey |work = The Sun News |date = March 23, 2016 |access-date = July 25, 2016 |archive-date = August 31, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240831031741/https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article67875812.html |url-status = live }}</ref> a proposed {{convert|28|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Limited-access road|limited-access highway]] which would start at the western terminus of SC&nbsp;22 with US&nbsp;501 and allow a more direct route west from the southern [[Grand Strand|Strand]], while simultaneously, along with SC&nbsp;22, completing a beltway around the [[Myrtle Beach]] area.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.carolinalive.com/weather/story.aspx?list=197115&id=347692 |title = DOT studies hurricane evacuation route |last = Moore |first = Graeme |work = [[WPDE]] |date = September 8, 2009 |access-date = March 23, 2010 |archive-date = July 22, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722212642/http://www.carolinalive.com/weather/story.aspx?list=197115&id=347692 |url-status = live }}</ref> Voters subsequently approved RIDE III in November 2016.<ref name="Jump Start">{{cite news |url = http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article120691098.html |title = RIDE III road work gets a jump start |last = Hudson |first = Audrey |work = The Sun News |date = December 13, 2016 |access-date = November 21, 2023 |archive-date = August 31, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240831031745/https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article120691098.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

Interest in I-73 was renewed in early 2021 due in part to the announcement of the [[American Jobs Plan]].<ref>{{cite news |first1 = J. Dale |last1 = Shoemaker |first2 = Francesca |last2 = Chambers |title = Could Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan fund I-73 in Myrtle Beach? What we know. |url = https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article250368441.html |work = The Sun News |date = April 5, 2021 |access-date = April 13, 2021 |archive-date = August 31, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240831031742/https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article250368441.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Two years later in September 2023, SCDOT announced that Phase I of the project, which would connect I-95 in Dillon County to US 501 south of Latta, would be "shovel ready" by the new year. They also announced that had begun right-of-way purchasing within [[Horry County, South Carolina|Horry County]] from the [[Little Pee Dee River]] to the eventual connecting point for I-73 and SC 22.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = James |first1 = Andrew |title = SCDOT official says I-73 first phase is 'shovel ready' come 2024 |url = https://wpde.com/news/local/scdot-official-says-i-73-first-phase-is-shovel-ready-come-2024-horry-dillon-interstate-73-ride-four-commission-mcmaster-marion |access-date = November 21, 2023 |work = WPDE |date = September 20, 2023 |language = en |archive-date = August 31, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240831031739/https://wpde.com/news/local/scdot-official-says-i-73-first-phase-is-shovel-ready-come-2024-horry-dillon-interstate-73-ride-four-commission-mcmaster-marion |url-status = live }}</ref> However, South Carolina Governor [[Henry McMaster]]'s 2024 executive budget, which was released in early-January 2024, did not include any funding for building the route. He noted that although he still supports the I-73 expansion into the state, the support among county and local leaders had waned. Despite the lack of funding, Horry County is still working on the stretch from the [[Marion County, South Carolina|Marion County]] border to South Carolina Highway 22.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Nelson |first1 = Kristin |title = Funding to bring I-73 to Grand Strand not included in McMaster's executive budget |url = https://www.wmbfnews.com/2024/01/05/funding-bring-i-73-grand-strand-not-included-mcmasters-executive-budget/ |access-date = February 7, 2024 |work = www.wmbfnews.com |date = January 5, 2024 |language = en |archive-date = August 31, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240831031734/https://www.wmbfnews.com/2024/01/05/funding-bring-i-73-grand-strand-not-included-mcmasters-executive-budget/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Richardson |first1 = Julia |title = Mixed reactions from Grand Strand, Pee Dee leaders over lack of I-73 funding |url = https://www.wmbfnews.com/2024/01/08/mixed-reactions-grand-strand-pee-dee-leaders-over-lack-i-73-funding/ |access-date = February 7, 2024 |work = www.wmbfnews.com |date = January 8, 2024 |language = en |archive-date = February 7, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240207214240/https://www.wmbfnews.com/2024/01/08/mixed-reactions-grand-strand-pee-dee-leaders-over-lack-i-73-funding/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Perry |first1 = Charles D. |date = January 23, 2024 |title = New bridges and I-73? How Horry County could spend $5.5 billion from a 25-year tax |url = https://www.postandcourier.com/myrtle-beach/news/horry-county-transportation-tax-projects-up-for-debate/article_cbec7590-b5b4-11ee-8970-039613a608de.html |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240207214241/https://www.postandcourier.com/myrtle-beach/news/horry-county-transportation-tax-projects-up-for-debate/article_cbec7590-b5b4-11ee-8970-039613a608de.html |archive-date = February 7, 2024 |access-date = February 7, 2024 |work = Post and Courier |language = en }}</ref> This is largely due to the RIDE 4 program, which passed voting on November 5, 2024, and went into effect on May 1, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Richards |first = Eric |date = November 6, 2024 |title = Horry County RIDE 4 referendum passes |url = https://www.wmbfnews.com/2024/11/06/horry-county-ride-4-referendum-passes/ |access-date = May 11, 2025 |website = www.wmbfnews.com |language = en }}</ref> The estimated cost of the project is $450,000,000 within Horry County, which will be raised by a Penny Sales Tax.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Horry County Government |url = https://www.horrycountysc.gov/ride-4/ |access-date = May 11, 2025 |website = www.horrycountysc.gov |language = en }}</ref> Marion county has shown some support for the project, but like [[Marlboro County, South Carolina|Marlboro]] and [[Dillon County, South Carolina|Dillon]] counties, the other counties through which I-73 would pass, they have not yet found ways to fund the project in their respective counties.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Rowles |first = Courtney |date = January 12, 2022 |title = Marion County Council approves resolution supporting I-73 completion |url = https://wpde.com/news/local/marion-county-council-approves-resolution-supporting-i-73-completion |access-date = May 11, 2025 |website = WPDE |language = en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title = I-73 in SC Counties |url = https://www.buildi73insc.com/counties |access-date = May 11, 2025 |website = Build I-73 in SC |language = en-US }}</ref>

===Virginia===
{{Main|Interstate 73 in Virginia}}
I-73 was planned to connect [[Martinsville, Virginia|Martinsville]] and [[Roanoke, Virginia|Roanoke]], then head west to [[Blacksburg, Virginia|Blacksburg]] before entering [[West Virginia]].

Except for a divergence around the east side of Martinsville, the planned routing was to parallel US&nbsp;220 to [[Interstate 581|I-581]] in Roanoke, which I-73 was then to follow to I-81. Signs that say "Future I-73 Corridor" can be found along I-581.<ref>{{cite web |author = Virginia Department of Transportation |author-link = Virginia Department of Transportation |date = March 19, 2010 |url = http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/I73/I73-locationstudy.asp |title = I-73 Location Study |publisher = Virginia Department of Transportation |access-date = June 29, 2012 |archive-date = June 14, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120614064707/http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/I73/I73-locationstudy.asp |url-status = live }}</ref> From Roanoke, I-73 was to run concurrently with I-81 to near [[Christiansburg, Virginia|Christiansburg]] and then use a completed [[Virginia Smart Road]] to Blacksburg. The rest of the way to West Virginia was to be an upgrade of [[U.S. Route 460|US&nbsp;460]], [[Corridor Q]] of the [[Appalachian Development Highway System]].

The [[Virginia Department of Transportation]] (VDOT) ran studies on this corridor, but its construction had very low priority compared to other projects in the state. Additionally, funding for the route was used for other more urgent projects.<ref name=I-73dead>{{cite news |last = Pickeral |first = Amie |date = May 24, 2016 |title = County Supervisors Told I-73 Project Appears to Be Over |url = http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/news/county-supervisors-told-i--project-appears-to-be-over/article_1a5d2a02-2225-11e6-a372-9b23997f96d8.html |newspaper = [[Martinsville Bulletin]] |access-date = May 26, 2016 }}</ref>

In a July 2024 presentation to the [[Commonwealth Transportation Board]], which has ultimate authority over all transportation projects in the state, VDOT recommended the board rescind its original 2001 approval of I-73's routing. VDOT stated that the project's earmarked federal funding has been repurposed, and additional funding had not materialized and was unlikely to be found; in addition, the board itself had since adopted a policy requiring review of all location decisions after three years.<ref>{{cite web |title = Interstate 73 Corridor and Henry County Alternative Location Decisions Review |url = https://ctb.virginia.gov/media/ctb/agendas-and-meeting-minutes/2024/july/pres/CTB_July_Location_Decision_73_HCA_Final.pdf |publisher = Virginia Department of Transportation |date = July 16, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Dashiell |first1 = Joe |title = Commonwealth Transportation Board revisits routing decision for Interstate 73 |url = https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/07/16/commonwealth-transportation-board-revisits-routing-decision-interstate-73/ |work = [[WDBJ]] |date = July 16, 2024 |language = en |access-date = August 30, 2024 |archive-date = August 13, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240813220036/https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/07/16/commonwealth-transportation-board-revisits-routing-decision-interstate-73/ |url-status = live }}</ref> At its September 2024 meeting, the board voted to rescind its approval. Any construction of I-73 would be required to start the entire location-study, environmental impact and public-comment process again.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Dashiell |first1 = Joe |title = Commonwealth Transportation Board rescinds I-73 routing decision |url = https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/09/17/commonwealth-transportation-board-rescinds-i-73-routing-decision/ |work = WDBJ7 |date = September 17, 2024 |language = en }}</ref>

===West Virginia===
{{See also|U.S. Route 52 in West Virginia|West Virginia Route 108}}
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}
Future I-73 is planned to enter, from [[Virginia]], near [[Bluefield, Virginia|Bluefield]] and then go northwesterly along the future route of [[West Virginia Route 108]]; formerly known as the [[King Coal Highway]] to [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington]].

I-73 will continue next to US&nbsp;460 (Corridor Q) from the Virginia state line west to Bluefield. There it will join with I-74, which splits from [[Interstate 77|I-77]] just across the border from Virginia. For the rest of its path through West Virginia from Bluefield to Huntington and Ohio, I-73 will follow US&nbsp;52 and also have bypasses near it. U.S. 52 is currently being upgraded to a four-lane divided highway; and also some new construction known as the [[King Coal Highway]] also now known as [[West Virginia Route 108]] to [[Williamson, West Virginia|Williamson]] and the [[Tolsia Highway]] the rest of the way to Huntington. This section has been sporadically marked as the Future I-73/I-74 Corridor with signs but is not being built to Interstate standards due to a lack of funding.

===Ohio===

Both I-73 and I-74 are planned to enter Ohio from [[Huntington, West Virginia]] and parallel US&nbsp;52 to [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]]. A four-lane controlled highway known as the Portsmouth Bypass was constructed between 2015 and 2019,<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.transportation.gov/tifia/financed-projects/portsmouth-bypass |title = Portsmouth Bypass |date = April 2, 2015 |publisher = United States Department of Transportation |access-date = September 12, 2017 }}</ref> and runs from US&nbsp;52 to US&nbsp;23, along [[Ohio State Route 823|State Route&nbsp;823]] (SR&nbsp;823) just north of [[Lucasville, Ohio|Lucasville]]. I-73 and [[Interstate 74|I-74]] would continue north to [[Ohio State Route 32|SR&nbsp;32]], where I-74 would split from I-73 towards [[Cincinnati]], and I-73 would continue north along US&nbsp;23 and [[Appalachian Development Highway System#Corridor C|Corridor C]] of the [[Appalachian Development Highway System]] the rest of the way through Columbus to Toledo and the Michigan state line. In Columbus, I-73 would most likely follow [[Ohio State Route 315|SR&nbsp;315]] through Columbus. In [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]], I-73 would likely follow [[Interstate 280 (Ohio)|I-280]]'s alignment and likely route along [[Interstate 475 (Ohio)|I-475]] before branching off with US&nbsp;23 into Michigan. However, routes in the Columbus and Toledo areas have not yet been officially determined. Ohio has abandoned further study of much of the I-73 corridor, since the [[Ohio Department of Transportation]] (ODOT) already plans to eventually upgrade the US&nbsp;23/US&nbsp;52 corridor from Toledo to Portsmouth to a freeway. Nonetheless, the option to designate the corridor as I-73 once all upgrades are complete remains open, contingent upon what happens with the connecting route in West Virginia.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

On February 5, 2009, then-Governor [[Ted Strickland]] proposed allowing tolls to be collected on newly built sections of highway.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/gov_toll_road_proposal_may_revive_highway_projects/12556/ |title = Gov Toll Road Proposal May Revive Highway Projects |publisher = [[WCMH-TV]] |location = Columbus, Ohio |agency = [[Associated Press]] |date = February 6, 2009 |access-date = September 19, 2011 |archive-date = September 5, 2012 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120905210952/http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/gov_toll_road_proposal_may_revive_highway_projects/12556/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> One of the proposed routes includes the Columbus–Toledo corridor, which is currently served by US&nbsp;23 as an expressway largely without limited access.

====2020s in Ohio==== <!-- subsection to facilitate using the excerpt template on the article U.S. Route 23 in Ohio -->
In 2021, ODOT announced plans to reopen the study of the US&nbsp;23 corridor between the village of [[Waldo, Ohio|Waldo]] and [[Interstate 270 (Ohio)|I-270]]. Some of the alternatives to be explored include upgrading the existing alignment or moving the corridor to [[U.S. Route 33|US&nbsp;33]] to the west or [[Interstate 71|I-71]] to the east of its current planned alignment.<ref name=route23connect>{{cite web |title = Route 23 Connect |url = https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/projects/projects/112768 |publisher = Ohio Department of Transportation |access-date = July 12, 2021 }}</ref>

There has a renewed push for the extension of both I-73 and I-74 in the state since 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title = Ohio House passes resolution urging for I-73, I-74 extension |url = https://www.wsaz.com/2022/01/27/ohio-house-passes-resolution-urging-i-73-i-74-extension/ |access-date = April 22, 2023 |publisher = WSAZ-TV |date = January 27, 2022 |language = en |archive-date = April 22, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230422050507/https://www.wsaz.com/2022/01/27/ohio-house-passes-resolution-urging-i-73-i-74-extension/ |url-status = live }}</ref> The 2025 transportation budget bill, House Bill 54, includes provisions for both I-73 and the I-71 connector.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb54 |title = House Bill 54: Make appropriations for transportation for FY 2026-27 biennium |author = [[136th Ohio General Assembly]] |access-date = March 24, 2025 }} Section 755.50 and Section 755.60.</ref>

===Michigan===
{{See also|U.S. Route 127 in Michigan#Future}}
Future I-73 is planned to go northwesterly to [[Jackson, Michigan|Jackson]] then go north with [[U.S. Route 127|US&nbsp;127]] to [[Grayling, Michigan|Grayling]]. From there, the corridor would have continued along [[Interstate 75 in Michigan|I-75]] to [[Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan|Sault Ste. Marie]].

The original defined alignment of I-73 would have run along I-75 to [[Detroit]].<ref name=ISTEA>{{cite web |author = United States Congress |author-link = United States Congress |title = Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 |url = http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/istea.html |publisher = United States Congress |quote = §1105(c)(5) I-73/74 North–South Corridor from Charleston, South Carolina, through Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Portsmouth, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. |date = December 18, 1991 |access-date = September 28, 2010 |archive-date = May 20, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130520070904/http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/istea.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> However, Congress amended that definition in 1995 to have a branch along the [[U.S. Route 223|US&nbsp;223]] corridor to south of Jackson and the US&nbsp;127 corridor north to I-75 near Grayling. From Grayling, it would have used I-75 to Sault Ste. Marie.<ref name=NHSDA>{{cite web |author = United States Congress |title = The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/title3.html#332 |publisher = United States Congress |date = November 28, 1995 |access-date = September 28, 2010 |quote = §1105(c)(5) I-73/74 North–South Corridor from Charleston, South Carolina, through Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Portsmouth, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, to termini at Detroit, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The Sault Ste. Marie terminus shall be reached via a corridor connecting Adrian, Jackson, Lansing, Mount Pleasant, and Grayling, Michigan. |archive-date = May 29, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100529011156/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/title3.html#332 |url-status = live }}</ref> Except south of Jackson, where the existing highways are two-lane roads and a section of road north of [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]] where the freeway reverts to a divided highway, this corridor is mostly a rural four-lane freeway.<ref name="MDOT10">{{cite MDOT map |year = 2010 |sections = N11–N12 |link = yes }}</ref> The [[Michigan Department of Transportation]] (MDOT) included using the US&nbsp;223 corridor as one of its three options to build I-73 in 2000. The others included using the US&nbsp;127 corridor all the way into Ohio with a connection to the [[Ohio Turnpike]] or using US&nbsp;127 south and a new freeway connection to US&nbsp;223 at [[Adrian, Michigan|Adrian]].<ref name=blade-2000>{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=38wpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6389,4543775&dq=us+223+michigan+%7C+toledo+%7C+ohio&hl=en |title = Michigan Settles on 3&nbsp;Options for I-73: State Still May Decide not to Build Highway |work = [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)|The Blade]] |location = Toledo, Ohio |date = December 14, 2000 |page = B2 |access-date = December 19, 2010 |via = [[Google News]] |archive-date = November 17, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151117040918/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=38wpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6389%2C4543775&dq=us%20223%20michigan%20%7C%20toledo%20%7C%20ohio&hl=en |url-status = live }}</ref> MDOT abandoned further study of I-73 after June 12, 2001, diverting remaining funding to safety improvement projects along the corridor.<ref name="Stiles A1"/> The department stated there was a "lack of need" for sections of the proposed freeway, and the project website was closed down in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |first = JoAnne |last = Hickey |title = South Takes the Lead: I-73 Will Push from South to North |url = http://www.i73.com/pdf/South%20takes%20the%20lead%20I-73%2008.24.07.pdf |work = Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise |location = Marion, South Carolina |date = August 22, 2007 |page = 5A |access-date = January 4, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111006002520/http://www.i73.com/pdf/South%20takes%20the%20lead%20I-73%2008.24.07.pdf |archive-date = October 6, 2011 |url-status = dead |oclc = 761993706 }}</ref> According to press reports in 2011, a group advocating on behalf of the freeway was working to revive the I-73 project in Michigan. According to an MDOT spokesperson, "to my knowledge, we're not taking that issue up again".<ref name=pelham2011/> The Lenawee County Road Commission is not interested in the freeway, and, according to the president of the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, "there seems to be little chance of having an I-73 link between Toledo and Jackson built in the foreseeable future."<ref name=pelham2011>{{cite news |last = Pelham |first = Dennis |title = Group Seeks to Revive I-73 Interest in Michigan |url = http://www.lenconnect.com/news/x121480165/Group-seeks-to-revive-I-73-interest-in-Michigan |access-date = September 6, 2011 |newspaper = [[The Daily Telegram]] |location = Adrian, Michigan |date = July 16, 2011 |page = A8 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120401024535/http://www.lenconnect.com/news/x121480165/Group-seeks-to-revive-I-73-interest-in-Michigan |archive-date = April 1, 2012 |url-status = dead |oclc = 33972687 }}</ref>