South Carolina transportation officials divide additional transportation funding

(The Center Square) — South Carolina transportation officials have approved updates to the state's bridge program, deciding how to allocate $200 million in additional money state lawmakers approved.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission directed half the $200 million in one-time funding to bridges on secondary roads. The remaining $100 million will go toward bridges on primary and interstate routes.

The move comes one day after federal officials announced $175 million in tax money for SCDOT to replace four Interstate 95 bridges built in 1968 over Lake Marion in Clarendon and Orangeburg counties. Officials said it was "one of the largest federal discretionary grant awards ever received by SCDOT."

"Our bridges in South Carolina connect communities together," Secretary of Transportation Justin P. Powell said in a statement. "They carry first responders to emergencies, our children and grandchildren to school, and our products to market. It is critical that we maintain our bridge network and today is another step towards ensuring we have a transportation system in South Carolina that is built for the bright future ahead."

The $200 million is in addition to the state's current $239 million for bridge replacements and rehabilitations.

The South Carolina Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, in its 2021 Report Card for South Carolina's Infrastructure, the most recent available, gave the state a D-plus. The group also gave the state a C for bridges, noting that the Transportation Department manages roughly 90% of the state's 9,410 bridges.

The group found that, according to Federal Highway Administration standards, 47% of the state's bridges were in fair condition, and an additional 45% were in good condition.

Officials said the updated list prioritizes projects that the transportation department anticipates using either current funding or appropriations expected to be allocated in future years. While the current program budget will not cover all the projects, SCDOT officials said the agency plans to continue advancing these projects in order of priority and as funding is available.

SCDOT officials said that, as part of the agency's 10-year plan, construction has started or been completed on more than 352 bridges. The agency said it is on track to complete the 500 bridges included in the plan, and the additional tax dollars will allow SCDOT to accelerate and expand the bridge program beyond the goals the 10-year plan identified.