Richland County Transportation Director resigns
May 5, 2017
Richland County’s first director of its Transportation Program funded by a voter-approved penny sales tax increase is leaving his post to accept a job at the SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
Rob Perry, who is resigning effective June 1, is giving input to assist his successor.
“While I’m happy that Mr. Perry is being recognized for his professional achievements, I must say I am disappointed with his leaving at this time because many projects haven’t been completed,” said Richland County Council Chair Joyce Dickerson. “I have asked the County Administrator to direct Mr. Perry to submit a project priority list according to the referendum and that the County be provided a status report on all projects, because I’m especially concerned that several projects remain to be done – particularly the dirt roads part of the program. Finally, I’ve asked Mr. Perry to share his thoughts on how the projects can proceed in a way that more evenly distributes the road improvements district-by-district.”
Upon submitting his resignation late Thursday afternoon, Perry expressed appreciation for having the opportunity to serve the residents of Richland County for nearly four years. He will return to SCDOT where he worked before joining the County in 2013.
An interim Transportation Director will be named May 25.
In November 2012, Richland County voters approved a countywide one-cent sales tax increase to fund the transportation initiative for projects throughout the County during a 22-year period or until $1.07 billion in sales tax revenue is collected, whichever occurs first. The program includes such projects as road widenings, intersection improvements, sidewalks, bikeways, dirt road paving and greenways.
By the end of 2016, the program had delivered a total of $135 million to construction – more than any county transportation program in South Carolina has delivered this early in a program. To date, the program has delivered $146 million to construction and is expected to eclipse $150 million this summer. The national average for delivering major projects to construction is six to eight years. In less than four years, Richland County has delivered:
- Three major widening projects
- One new location road (Shop Road Extension Phase I)
- Six major intersection improvements
- A pedestrian bridge
- A major streetscape along Greene Street
In addition, the County has completed more than 120 projects, which include intersection improvements, resurfacing of County maintained roads, paving dirt roads, sidewalk projects and a greenway project.
The County will launch a national search for a new director immediately.
