Secretary Limehouse will outline changes that have occurred at SCDOT

February 18, 2008

COLUMBIA, SC – February 18, 2008 –  Transportation Secretary H.B. Limehouse Jr. is scheduled to make a presentation to the Senate Transportation Committee on the current state of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Members of the House Ad Hoc Committee which followed up on last year’s Legislative Audit Council report on SCDOT have also been invited to attend the report scheduled for Wednesday, February 20 at 11 a.m. in Room 105 of the Gressette Building.

Among the issues Limehouse plans to discuss are initiatives he has put into place since coming to SCDOT in May of 2007, changes in accountability and financial management including innovative financing and cost savings that have resulted from both new initiatives and Act 114. Limehouse will also highlight new partnerships that have been forged by SCDOT.

Senator Larry Grooms (R) who represents Senate District 37 and chairs the Transportation Committee, invited Secretary Limehouse to present the update on SCDOT. It’s a new day at SCDOT, Senator Grooms said. I look forward to the new Secretary advising what dividends we can expect as a result of this landmark reform legislation. The state of South Carolina’s transportation network is critically important to both driver safety and the efficient flow of commerce. I’d like the State of the Department address to become an annual event everyone takes note of because it relates to issues affecting everyone in the Palmetto State. I’m committed to continuing oversight of this important agency, Grooms added.

Representative Annette Young (R) who represents House District 98, chaired the House Ad Hoc Committee.  Young said, I’m anxious to see what kind of turnaround SCDOT has made as a result of Act 114 and the impact Secretary Limehouse has made on the agency.

The Charleston native was appointed Executive Director by the SCDOT Commission on May 2, 2007. His appointment by Governor Mark Sanford as the first Secretary of Transportation in South Carolina’s history was confirmed by the South Carolina Senate on August 3, 2007.