SCDOT approves another $200 million in funding for bridge improvements – ABC NEWS 4

The South Carolina Department of Transportation announced Thursday that it will approve an extra $200 million to help improve the state’s bridges, on top of the $239 million already in the program.

This funding includes $100 million in allocated funds for primary and interstate bridges and $100 million for bridges on secondary roads, the department said in a release.

“Our bridges in South Carolina connect communities together,” Secretary of Transportation Justin P. Powell said. “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 South Carolina General Assembly approved the extra $200 million in additional budget to help the transportation department complete high-priority projects as part of their 10-year plan. The plan is an effort towards “eliminating structurally deficient bridges on [South Carolina’s] National Highway System and reducing the number of load-restricted bridges on the state’s secondary system,” according to SCDOT’s website.

However, with the new funding, the department said in a statement that it will now be possible to expand the bridge program “beyond goals identified in the 10-year plan.”

Also outlined in the plan, is the goal to complete 500 new bridges across the state, though it is unclear if this number will grow as a result of the new budget.

The transportation department said it has already completed or begun construction on 352 new bridges.

“On behalf of SCDOT and the entire Commission, I want to thank our Governor and the entire General Assembly for their continued, bold investment in our state’s infrastructure. With their continued support, SCDOT is moving South Carolina forward,” Chair of the Commission Pamela Christopher said.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation already maintains over 8,400 bridges across the state, and said less than 10% of the bridges are in poor condition.