South Carolina Alliance to Fix Our Roads

The House and Senate have adjourned Sine Die, marking the official end of the legislative session. However, there is still unfinished business. Numerous conference committees will meet in the coming weeks to resolve differences between House and Senate legislation, including the FY24-25 budget. Infrastructure investment remains a priority for conference committee negotiations. Learn more about infrastructure allocations in the House and Senate versions of the budget here: https://lnkd.in/eAy524di

We applaud the Senate Finance Committee for prioritizing roads and bridges in their FY24-25 budget, which will be debated on the floor next week (beginning April 23). Learn more about the infrastructure investments included in the Senate plan here: https://lnkd.in/ebS77UxR

Today, a ceremony was held at the South Carolina Department of Transportation to swear in Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell and deputy secretaries: Karl McCottry, Deputy Secretary for Finance and Administration; Jennifer Necker, P.E., Deputy Secretary for Intermodal and Freight Programs; Rob Perry, P.E., Deputy Secretary for Engineering; and, Brent Rewis, P.E., Deputy Secretary for Planning. We are excited about this new era of leadership and look forward to working with team SCDOT to #KeepSCMovingForward!

As the Senate Finance Committee begins budget deliberations next week (starting April 9), we encourage Senators to support allocations to the state’s bridge program. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dRfgY6gU

Today, the Senate unanimously confirmed Justin Powell to serve as the Secretary of Transportation. We look forward to his leadership and know his experience and expertise will serve the state well. Congratulations, Secretary Powell, 👏 we look forward to working with you to #KeepSCMovingForward!

This week was full of goodbyes, thank yous, and congratulations! After a 30-year career with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall officially retires on Sunday, March 31. Secretary Hall's #leadership and #expertise have been instrumental in rebuilding South Carolina’s #infrastructure and #trust in one of the state’s most complex and publicly visible agencies. SCFOR congratulates Secretary Hall on her much-deserved retirement and wishes her continued success and happiness in this next chapter. We thank her for her dedication, leadership, service to the state, and open-door policy. It is the end of an era, and it is one we are glad we got to be a part of.

Many bridges are aging out of their intended lifespan, and the problem will only get worse without additional resources. There are approximately 2,700 bridges in South Carolina that are 60 years old or older, and this number is expected to grow to 3,900 over the next decade. SCFOR applauds the #SCHouse Ways & Means Committee for prioritizing #infrastructure by including a $200 million allocation for bridges in their version of the FY24-25 budget. The #SCHouse will begin deliberating the budget on the floor next week, and we encourage them to support this important investment to aid in tackling repairs and replacements to our state's aging bridge network. #roads #bridges #safety #KeepSCMovingForward

SCFOR applauds the #SCHouse Ways & Means Committee for prioritizing #infrastructure in their FY24-25 budget, specifically the inclusion of a $200 million allocation to help tackle repairs and replacements to our aging bridge network. We look forward to the House supporting this investment when they begin budget deliberations on the floor starting March 11. #roads #bridges #KeepSCMovingForward 

It's simple, but it's true - roads and bridges CONNECT everyone to everything! That is why continuing to take a proactive approach to our infrastructure policies will enable our extensive transportation network to better serve the businesses, residents, and tourists who rely upon it. #roads #bridges #safety #KeepSCMovingForward

Today's Senate oversight subcommittee offered a glimpse into all things #SCDOT. Everything from an update on the state's construction program - to discussions over core funding sources, ways to improve project timelines, and challenges associated with an aging bridge network. Great information from #SCDOT and questions/comments from Senators. South Carolina is putting dollars to work. To maintain momentum, the state must continue to assess the buying power of dedicated funding streams, allocate general funds when available, and evolve transportation policies to align with changes in the economy, technology, and consumer habits. #roads #bridges #safety #KeepSCMovingForward