Week in Review

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SCFOR Talks Roads & Bridges with Agribusiness

SCFOR Executive Director, Jennifer Patterson, spoke to the Palmetto Agribusiness Council (PABC) Board of Directors during their quarterly meeting this week. We talked about progress, new funding opportunities, and the importance of being proactive about funding mechanisms and needs. A big thank you to PABC’s CEO, Ronnie Summers, for the invitation and PABC’s continued support of SCFOR.

Joe Cunningham Announces Running Mate

Joe Cunningham introduced his pick for Lt. Governor this week, Tally Parham Casey, a native of Greenville, SC. She is a former fighter pilot and civil litigator with two decades of experience.

Casey served three combat tours in Iraq and was the first female fighter pilot in South Carolina.

“It is an incredible honor and privilege to be selected to be Joe Cunningham’s running mate,” Casey said in a statement. “I have long admired Joe’s bipartisan approach to governing and believe he is exactly what South Carolina needs as governor. Joe is a regular guy who has the guts to say what we’re all thinking. He doesn’t play by traditional political rules, and he doesn’t toe any party line.

Cunningham and Casey face Republican Governor Henry McMaster and Lt. Governor Pamela Evette in the general election on November 8.

Lexington County Penny Referendum

Voters in Lexington County will decide on a 1% Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) in November. If approved, the tax would be in place for eight years (May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2031) and is expected to generate $536 million. These revenues would be dedicated to road projects county-wide.

The majority of the projects are focused on pavement and intersection improvements. A portion of the money would go to repairing bridges and paving dirt roads. View projects.

You will recall that Lexington County voted down a penny proposal in 2014. However, that proposal included walking paths, parks, and sports fields. Since 2014, the county has continued to see explosive population growth, and this time around, Lexington County Council was adamant that projects included in this proposal went strictly to transportation infrastructure.

Click here to view the entire CPST package as approved by the Lexington County Council.

Dorchester County Transportation Penny, Round 2

Dorchester County voters will have an opportunity to continue the existing one percent sales and use transportation tax in November. You can find additional details here. The current transportation penny program has significantly impacted Dorchester County roads since its implementation in 2005. Click here to view completed projects.

If approved in November, the transportation penny will continue (upon expiration of the current program) for a period not to exceed more than 15 years or $735 million in revenue. This will allow continued investments for financing the costs of highways, roads, streets, bridges, and other transportation-related facilities. Learn more about approved projects here.

Berkeley County Penny Renewal, Round 3

Berkeley County first passed a Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) in 2008. The CPST was renewed in 2014, and a renewal for new projects is slated to be on the ballot in November. If approved by voters, the CPST "penny" will be used for financing the costs of highways, roads, streets, bridges, and other transportation-related projects and drainage work. View the Berkeley County Ordinance here.

I-95 Corridor Improvement Widening Project (MM 8 to MM 21)

This project will improve capacity and mobility on I-95 from MM 8 to approximately MM 21 due to the projected increase in traffic demand and freight volumes. Operational and structural deficiencies on interchanges and bridges will also be addressed within the corridor. Click here for details.

I-95 Corridor Improvements Projects (MM 21 to MM 33.9) Exit 33

This project will improve capacity and mobility along the 12-mile corridor of I-95 and address operational deficiencies for the interchanges and bridges within the study corridor. Click here for details.

Planning Phase of Work for the I-95 Bridge Replacement Project over the Great Pee Dee River

The project will remove a scour critical bridge and replace it with a new structure that meets current standards. I-95 is a heavily traveled interstate that helps move the motoring public, services, and goods throughout the state. Click here for details.

I-26 Corridor Improvement Project from Exit 145 (US 601 -St Matthews Rd) to Exit 165 (SC 210-Vance Rd)

The project proposes to widen I-26 to address existing congestion and accommodate future traffic volumes, geometric deficiencies, and freight mobility along the I-26 corridor. Click here for details.

Public Comments on the projects linked above will be accepted through August 11, 2022.

I-526 @ Long Point Road Interchange Improvements

SCDOT held a public information meeting this week, outlining alternative improvements for the Long Point Road interchange on I-526. One of the major concerns along the corridor is increasing traffic. The average daily number of vehicles driving through the interchange is expected to grow by 66% by 2050; however, truck traffic is expected to grow at a faster rate.

The materials presented at Tuesday’s meeting are also available online, and SCDOT will accept public input through September 1. Click here to learn more about the project and to provide input.

Proposed US 17 Bridge Replacements over Edisto River

SCDOT proposes to replace two bridges on US 17 (Savannah Highway) over the Edisto River in Colleton and Charleston Counties with structures that meet current safety standards. A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 11, in Adams Run, SC. Click here to learn more.

Bridge Replacement US 29 over the Southern Railroad Cherokee County

SCDOT proposes to replace the US 29 (East Cherokee Street) bridge over Southern Railroad in Cherokee County on the existing alignment. Traffic will be detoured during construction. A public meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 16, in Blacksburg, SC. Click here to learn more.

Updated IIJA Fact Sheets

The White House released updated fact sheets highlighting how the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) is delivering for all 50 states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribal communities.

South Carolina has been allocated $887 million (up from $733 million) in highway formula funding and $59 million in dedicated funding for bridges in 2022. View the full fact sheet here.