The passage of road funding legislation in 2017 put our state on the road to repair. Since then, the legislature has continued to be proactive through budget allocations and investing one-time funds to provide timely boosts for programs to keep projects moving forward. We applaud these actions and hope that legislators will continue to make transportation infrastructure a priority.

South Carolina has come a long way and there is much work to be done! Check out our overview of the state’s transportation network. We hope this provides some background on how the state funds our infrastructure; how those dollars are being put to work, factors to consider; and the electrification of transportation.

TRANSPORTATION OVERVIEW

 

State Funding Sources

A one-page summary of the state’s dedicated and recurring revenue sources that are used to fund our transportation network. (01/25)

Putting Dollars to Work

A one-page summary of the role that federal and state dollars play in various programs and how those dollars are being put to work. (01/25)

Factors to Consider

A one-page summary highlighting the role that population changes and economic growth have on our state’s transportation network. (01/25)

Electrification of Transportation

A one-page summary of how electric vehicles contribute to the state system and a look at how other states treat EVs. (01/25)

The SCFOR Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, November 21. SCFOR Vice-Chairman Paul Edwards welcomed a sold-out crowd to the Hall at Senate’s End. Edwards reiterated the importance of transportation infrastructure to the state’s overall economic competitiveness and SCFOR’s ongoing efforts to educate the public and policymakers on the need for safe and efficient infrastructure.

We started the day with remarks from SCDOT Commission Chairwoman Pam Christopher and a presentation from Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell. Secretary Powell provided a timely update on how the agency is working to maintain momentum, identify needs, and position South Carolina for a bright future.

Representatives from the SC Association of Counties, Leslie Simpson and Avery Upchurch, provided a quick review of recent referendums and a high-level summary of some of the issues counties are focusing on, including annexation, waste tires, and road dedication.

Our House panel featured Representatives Heather Ammons Crawford (R-Horry), Shannon Erickson (R-Beaufort), and Robby Robbins (R-Dorchester). Each brought a unique perspective, reiterated the importance of using data to determine buying power and revenue trends, and pressed the importance of getting to know your legislators and educating them on issues that impact you.

We closed out the day with Senators Chip Campsen (R-Charleston), Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley), and Ross Turner (R-Greenville) for a discussion on the upcoming session, changes in the SC Senate, government transparency and accountability, and the importance of continuing to address the big issues that impact citizens and businesses on a day to day basis.

We truly appreciate the insights SCDOT and members of the SC House and Senate provided last week. We can all agree that a lot has changed since the passage of Act 40, but the importance of educating the public and policymakers about infrastructure needs and investments remains.

Numbers don’t lie. Dollars are covering fewer miles than they used to. So, if we see these trends now, while it is still relatively early, there is NO better time to talk about the future of our network and the policies governing it.

If there is anything we learned from Act 40 – it’s that we can’t afford to wait.  Ensuring favorable policies and sustainable funding mechanisms continue to deliver for our roads and bridges is a team effort—a big THANK YOU to our speakers, sponsors, and everyone who joined us for our annual meeting. And, to all of our members, we appreciate your continued support. Together, we can keep SC Moving Forward!

 

SCDOT Commissioners approved funding allocations and project lists for the state’s 2024 bridge program at the Commission’s July 18 meeting. Rob Perry, Deputy Secretary for Engineering, provided an overview of how bridges are rated and trends in the number of load-restricted and closed bridges across the state. (Following a statewide load rating assessment, the Commission last adopted changes to the bridge program in December 2021.)

A total of $439 million will be invested in the state’s bridge program in FY24-25.  This includes the one-time budget allocation of $200 million from the Legislature. In addition, SCDOT will continue to seek discretionary grants for bridges.

The additional budget dollars are a timely investment for the program, given the need to double the investment to address a growing number of aging structures. With over 2,400 bridges over the age of 60, at the current repair rate (50 bridges per year), that number is expected to increase to 3,900 over the next decade.

The 2024 program project lists include carryforwards for previously approved projects as well as new projects on interstates/primaries and secondary routes. Links to the project lists by category are below:

• Mega Bridge List
• Interstate Primary List: The ranked deficient interstate and primary route bridge list includes 20 additional bridges. 
• Secondary List: The newly ranked deficient secondary bridge list includes 100 additional bridges. 

Click here to view the interactive map of the 2024 bridge program. 

Through engineering directives and ongoing evaluations, the state is working to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to tackling repairs and improvements on our rapidly aging network.  The additional $200 million one-time allocations from the Legislature in the FY24-25 budget will undoubtedly provide a necessary boost to addressing these critical structures. 

Public comments on the bridge program will be accepted through August 8. Click here to learn more.

View Deputy Secretary Perry’s Bridge Presentation as presented to the SCDOT Commission on July 18.