SCDOT Reports Significant Progress, Looks Ahead to Future Priorities and Funding
January 7, 2026
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) reported substantial progress over the past year in advancing its 10-year Strategic Plan, a “fix it first” initiative adopted in 2017 to restore and modernize South Carolina’s highway and bridge network.
According to the agency, more than 1,200 miles of rural road safety projects are currently underway statewide. On completed projects, SCDOT has seen a 20 percent reduction in fatalities and serious injury crashes, highlighting the impact of targeted safety investments. At the same time, nearly one-quarter of the state’s 41,000-mile highway system is now under contract for paving, contributing to improved road conditions across every network.
Bridge work has also accelerated significantly. More than 450 bridges are being repaired or replaced, supported in part by one-time appropriations from the South Carolina General Assembly. In 2025 alone, bridge project delivery occurred at three times the pace seen when the 10-year plan first began in 2017.
Progress on interstates continues as well, with major improvements underway at the I-26 and I-20 interchange, the I-26 and I-95 interchange, and widening projects along nearly every interstate corridor in the state. In total, 121 miles of interstate improvements are currently in progress.
Beyond construction milestones, SCDOT leaders have focused on internal improvements, including streamlining operations and reducing regulatory burdens. The agency has proposed a 30 percent reduction in regulations this year as part of a broader modernization effort.
During public hearings held in late 2025 by the South Carolina House of Representatives SCDOT Modernization Committee, Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell outlined both progress and challenges facing the agency. Among the key concerns cited were declining buying power due to inflation, rapid population growth, and increasing congestion.
In 2017, one cent of the gas tax funded approximately 114 miles of two-lane resurfacing. By 2025, that same penny covers only 87 miles. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s population is projected to exceed six million residents by 2040, placing additional strain on existing infrastructure. Congestion remains a primary concern, particularly in fast-growing coastal areas, near urban centers, and in suburbs surrounding Charlotte.
Looking ahead, SCDOT plans to focus on improving statewide transportation planning, diversifying revenue sources, and exploring new tools to support a modern transportation system capable of meeting long-term demands.
To maintain momentum, SCDOT has submitted an amended budget request to Henry McMaster. The request, which the Governor included in his recent proposed budget, is intended to build on the progress made since passage of the 2017 roads bill. The agency reports it has a strong pipeline of road and bridge projects identified and ready to move forward in 2026 and 2027.
“I appreciate the Governor’s consideration of this request and the inclusion of an additional $1.1 billion for transformative infrastructure in his proposed budget,” said Justin Powell, Secretary of Transportation. “The kind of generational progress we are making cannot happen without diligent hard work, considered investment, and all of South Carolina working together as a team. I remain committed to delivering a modern transportation system for this state and to ensuring SCDOT is doing everything within our power to improve the lives of our citizens.”
The South Carolina Department of Transportation oversees the planning, design, construction, financing, and safety of the state’s highway and bridge network, the fourth-largest in the nation. Through its Strategic 10-Year Plan, SCDOT continues to focus on strengthening infrastructure to support South Carolina’s growing economy and population.
