For the first time ever, a comprehensive review of four I-73 economic studies—cited often by media in reports about the interstate project—has been completed by a renowned global consulting firm in an effort to determine the credibility and accuracy of each study. Parsons Brinckerhoff consulting firm presented the findings of their review in a private meeting to area leaders Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology in Florence.
“To date, there has been a great deal of information published about the I-73 project and the effect it will have on the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions of South Carolina.  Some of the studies provide contrasting forecasts, use different standards and, as a result, they have predicted vastly different results. Because of these conflicting reports, we simply wanted to commission an independent study by a firm with an impeccable reputation and world wide experience in order to find out if we were being provided the most accurate information regarding I-73,” said Mike Wooten, chairman of the Grand Strand Business Alliance.
 The studies reviewed include an Economic ImpactStudy of I-73 (NESA), Construction Impact Study (Dr. Don Schunk), Grand Strand Expressway Study (S.C. Coastal Conservation League), and Economic Analysis of I-73 and the Grand Strand Expressway (S.C. Coastal Conservation League).
 “As it turns out, two of the studies—each commissioned by the Coastal Conservation League—were declared ‘not within a credible range’ and one even has a key calculation completely wrong. We trust that publication of the Parsons Brinkerhoff report will put an end to the ‘my study is better than your study’ saga that continues to confuse the real issues and we can move forward with this vital project,” Wooten added.
Additional key findings presented by Parsons Brinckerhoff include:
· The Coastal Conservation League proposed ‘Grand Strand Expressway’ does not meet the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) industry standards, and is not comparable to an interstate. Note: AASHTO is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, guidelines and more used in highway design and construction throughout the U.S.
· Estimated costs presented by the Coastal Conservation League studieswere determined ‘baseless’ and between 30-40 percent below the reviewed Parsons Brinckerhoff cost estimates.
· Neither Coastal Conservation League study considers the benefit costanalysis or economic analysis of providing an enhanced hurricane evacuationroute.
· The Coastal Conservation League study of the economic benefits of their proposed expressway ‘lack documentation.’
·  The Coastal Conservation League’s claims of estimated negative I-73 spillover impact and cost-benefit ratio for upgrading Highway 501 are ‘unsupported by credible data.’
· The Coastal Conservation League’s calculation regarding I-73 job creation is mathematically incorrect and underestimates job creation by 80 percent. 
· The Coastal Conservation League’s proposed alternatives appear “misleading and inaccurate,” and “not within a credible range,” while studies provided by Coastal Carolina University (Schunk) and Chmura are “within a credible range.”
 “Parsons Brinckerhoff is renowned for its work on thousands of infrastructure projects—like the I-73 project—throughout the world, and their review provided an eye opening look at much of the I-73 research that’s out there. Our takeaway today was that the two studies provided by the Coastal Conservation League lie outside of a ‘credible range’ and the research they’re providing is misleading.” said Wooten. 
A complete copy of the review presented can be found online at www.i73.com, and more information on consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff and their work can be found at www.pbworld.com.