DOT asks for $3.2 billion authority, presses for bridge and interstate funding

Secretary Robert Powell told the Senate Finance, Transportation and Regulatory Subcommittee that the South Carolina Department of Transportation is requesting $3.2 billion in budget authority for fiscal 2027, up from a normal base of about $2.7–$2.8 billion, largely to establish authority for several one‑time, large projects.

Powell said the department has made measurable progress since the 2017 roads bill and the department’s 10‑year performance plan, citing rural safety gains and infrastructure work. “This past year, we actually had the lowest amount of fatalities on South Carolina highways in over 10 years, and we are no longer the number 1 state for rural fatalities,” Powell said, calling the shift “progress” while noting the state remains high nationally.

Powell described outcomes he characterized as accomplishments: more than “over 10,000 miles of paving in the past 8 years,” another quarter of the state highway system under contract for repaving, and work on about 464 bridges (the department’s original 10‑year target was 465). He warned of an aging bridge inventory—about 2,400 bridges already over 60 years old and a projected rise toward 3,900 without higher investment—and said load‑posted bridges have fallen from roughly 800 to about 700 and closed bridges from about 80 to about 70.

Powell attributed some delivery challenges to inflation, saying a penny of gas tax now buys about 87 miles of paving versus 114 miles when the 10‑year plan was adopted, forcing DOT to push projects out to stay within existing appropriations.

Turning to specific requests in the governor’s executive budget, Powell said the administration seeks $400 million in nonrecurring bridge funds plus $100 million in recurring bridge funding to supplement the $213 million the department currently programs for bridges. He said the department originally sought $300 million recurring and that an eventual target nearer $400 million would be more ideal to address needs.

For the interstate program Powell said the governor requested $600 million to keep major projects on track, including multiyear reconstruction work at the I‑126/I‑26 interchange (Malfunction Junction/Carolina Crossroads), widening of I‑26 between Columbia and Charleston, and other interstate contracts underway. Powell gave a mid‑2030s completion horizon for the Columbia–Charleston widening if the requested funding is secured, and said the design would add an extra travel lane in each direction and a hardened running shoulder to assist evacuation routing.

Powell also described large discretionary grants the department has accepted and is programming authority for, including the Long Point Road interchange at the Port of Charleston in Mount Pleasant and the Lake Marion Bridge project between Orangeburg and Clarendon counties, and mentioned a Charleston area bus rapid transit project planned to begin construction in 2027 for which DOT would serve as construction manager while local sponsors carry funding responsibility.

Other items Powell raised included a proposed $25 million road buyback program to provide incentives for local governments to assume maintenance of certain local roads, a request to budget recurring funding for PRT to operate welcome centers (so DOT dollars can focus on system maintenance), a request to expand interstate litter pickup funding by $5 million, and a requested deletion of a current transfer proviso if PRT funding is provided. Powell also described DOT’s administration of the CTC program funded by 3.99¢ of the gas tax and noted the department stands ready to administer additional appropriations if the General Assembly provides them.

Committee members asked for clarifications on timelines, federal funding, and recurring bridge funding levels. On federal participation, Powell said DOT programs about $400 million in federal dollars and has leveraged American Rescue Plan Act dollars to accelerate projects (those ARPA funds expire at year end). On recurring bridge funding, Powell said $100 million would be a step forward but that $300 million phased in or closer to $400 million would better match needs.

The subcommittee thanked Powell and his staff; the hearing continued with the Department of Employment and Workforce later in the agenda.