South Carolina DOT asks legislature for more bridge, maintenance and EV-fee authority as gas-tax revenue shifts

Justice Powell, Secretary of Transportation, presented the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget and multi‑year priorities to the Senate Finance Transportation and Regulatory Subcommittee, outlining requests for additional bridge funding, continuing federal match authority and changes to acquisition appraisal rules.

Powell said the department’s estimated revenues for the coming year are just under $2.8 billion, including about $1 billion in federal reimbursements and roughly $1.63 billion in state funds. He described the budget as focused on maintenance and system preservation — about half of the appropriation — with interstate and capacity improvements as the largest remaining slice. He noted the agency has been debt free since 2023.

The presentation put DOT’s recent 10‑year plan gains and ongoing needs in context. “We have already gotten 1,126 miles underway,” Powell said of railroad safety projects tied to the 2017 roads bill, and he added the agency raised that target to 1,300 miles after an additional appropriation from the Homestead Exemption Fund.

Powell told senators DOT has seen measurable safety results on completed corridors: “we've seen a 20 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes on those corridors.” He said almost 9,400 miles of state highway pavement are either completed or under…