Secretary Powell Talks Interstate Highways in South Carolina | |
In this video update, Secretary Powell shares the latest on SCDOT's plans and progress related to interstate highways in South Carolina. | |
SCDOT's Environmental Conservation Efforts | |
Most people know that SCDOT plays a major role in building and maintaining our state’s roads and bridges. However, did you know that SCDOT also plays a major role in nature conservation across South Carolina? In this video, you’ll learn a bit about SCDOT’s conservation efforts as well as the partnerships that are taking place behind the scenes to provide a safe, reliable transportation network while also keeping South Carolina’s natural beauty intact. | |
Our Roads Take You Places: Oconee County | |
For the adventurer at heart, Oconee County in upstate South Carolina has it all. Historic South Carolina Highway 11, also known as the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, will bring you into the county as soon as you exit Interstate 85. SC 11 will take you to several state parks, where you can find hiking trails, picturesque lakes and even waterfalls. | |
SCDOT Holds Workers Memorial Ceremony | |
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The SCDOT Workers Memorial ceremony was held April 26, 2024, outside SCDOT Headquarters in downtown Columbia. The annual event is held to commemorate employees who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to SCDOT and the state of South Carolina.
This year, the SCDOT family added a name to the wall: Wayne Wilson - Aiken Maintenance, August 30, 2023.
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Secretary Powell and Deputies Sworn In | |
The swearing in ceremony for South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell was held Tuesday, April 9, 2024, outside SCDOT Headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina. Alongside Secretary Powell taking his oath were new deputy secretaries: Deputy Secretary for Engineering Rob Perry, Deputy Secretary for Finance and Administration Karl McCottry, Deputy Secretary for Planning Brent Rewis; and Deputy Secretary for Intermodal and Freight Programs Jen Necker. The swearing in was conducted by The Honorable Blake A. Hewitt of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. The ceremony introduction and opening remarks were given by SCDOT Commission Chair Pamela Christopher. | |
SCDOT employees participate in Spring Spruce Up | |
SCDOT held the annual statewide highway litter clean-up event on Thursday, April 4. Called the "Spring Spruce Up," this initiative is an annual employee tradition. SCDOT employee volunteers worked in groups to collect litter along South Carolina's highways in counties across the state. SCDOT asked the public to drive cautiously and watch out for SCDOT employees working on this day. | |
US 301 in Bamberg Reopens to Traffic | |
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Three months after a tornado blew directly through the City of Bamberg, SCDOT crews were able to reopen US 301 to traffic. The road had been closed since the January 9 weather event caused buildings to collapse on top of the road.
Following the recent demolition and removal of a condemned building, SCDOT maintenance forces made minor repairs and ensured the road was safe for vehicle traffic. SCDOT encourages drivers to use caution in the area as motorists adjust to using the reopened road.
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Update on US 17 over Waccamaw River in Georgetown County | |
SCDOT continues bridge rehabilitation work on US 17 over the Waccamaw River in Georgetown County. Two lanes of vehicle traffic have been open in both directions since the end of March 2024, but drivers may still experience occasional, temporary lane closures until the project is fully complete early this summer. | |
Drop-in Meetings Engage Public in SCDOT Projects | |
Public involvement is an essential part of SCDOT's project planning and delivery process. Visit the SCDOT Public Involvement webpage for opportunities to attend public meetings or provide comments on proposed projects. And check out the photos below from two recent public meetings to see what it's like to attend. | |
Carolina Crossroads Public Meeting at Dutch Square Mall, April 5 | |
I-526 Lowcountry Corridor Open House, April 27 | |
Traffic Shifts to West Side of South Main Street in Columbia | |
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Starting this evening, vehicle traffic on South Main Street in Columbia will shifted toward the Assembly Street side, with one lane in each direction open for motor vehicle traffic. To prepare for construction on the east side of the street, northbound traffic is closed on weekdays on the block between College and Pendleton Streets through May 17.
The shift has allowed for the start of the second phase of construction on the South Main Street Streetscape Project, a partnership among the State of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, Richland County, and the University of South Carolina, intended to improve pedestrian safety and enhance the appearance of the corridor.
SCDOT asks the traveling public to use caution around this active work zone. Learn more about the project.
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Kershaw Maintenance Employees visit Jackson Elementary | |
This month, two employees from Kershaw Maintenance stopped by Jackson School’s Career Day in Camden to show off some of SCDOT’s maintenance equipment. SCDOT employees brought a backhoe and a tandem axle with a trailer for the students to learn about. The students got to climb up in both vehicles and explore the inside, learning about what certain buttons and levers do. Overall, their favorite part was honking the horn! | |
Richland Maintenance goes to Career Day Truck Fair | A crew of Richland Maintenance employees participated in Millcreek Elementary School’s Career Day Truck Fair on April 18, 2024. The crew took highway maintenance equipment to the school to show the students what SCDOT does every day to maintain the roads and bridges in South Carolina. | |
Section of Hardscrabble Road Project Open | |
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A 2.3 mile section of Hardscrabble Road, from Marchbank Parkway to Kelly Mill Road in Richland County, is now fully open to traffic. Improvements include a newly widened four-lane roadway with a two-way turn lane, new drainage under the roadway and a safe, smooth driving surface. New traffic signals have been installed where Hardscrabble Road intersects with Lake Carolina and Kelly Mill Road.
Crews are on track to complete the full, 8- mile Hardscrabble Road Project by spring 2025, and SCDOT will continue to release updates on the Hardscrabble Road Project as they become available.
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Progress Continues on Berlin G. Myers Parkway Extension | |
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SCDOT continues to make progress on the final phase of construction of the Berlin G. Myers Parkway Phase III Project in Dorchester County, a new 3.25 mile roadway projected to open to vehicular traffic in 2026.
Crews are currently working to rebuild a portion of the Sawmill Branch Canal Trail, a key a component of the project. Meanwhile, the multiuse trail has been rerouted onto a portion of the new roadway not yet open for vehicular traffic, so that pedestrians and cyclists may continue to use this corridor for recreation and travel during the construction phase. SCDOT asks the public to use caution around this work zone.
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This month we take a look back at US 521 in Georgetown County in June 1959. | | | | |
