SCDOT Commission approves 2025 Pavement Improvement Plan that includes projects in Sumter, Clarendon, Lee

At its meeting on Thursday, May 16, the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission approved the agency’s 2025 Pavement Improvement Program, which includes paving projects that will be completed in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties, according to a news release.

The plan adds $719 million to the previously invested $3.6 billion in pavement improvements across the state since the Strategic 10-Year plan was implemented. This is the eighth year of an accelerated pavement improvement program, and the addition of the money means 727 more miles will be worked on in the state. There have already been more than 8,800 miles of completed and ongoing road work on major or primary roads, "farm to market" secondary roads and neighborhood streets.

Commission Chair Pamela Christopher said, “We are grateful to our governor and the General Assembly for their bold action to invest in our road and bridge network in South Carolina, and we are putting those dollars to work in pavement improvements. As a commission, we recognize that there is more work to do, and this action is another step towards improving pavement on our roadways across South Carolina, ensuring safe and efficient travel for everyone.”

Several stretches of roads will be rehabilitated or reconstructed in the tri-county area through the plan.

SUMTER COUNTY
— 3.17 miles of Bultman and Guignard drives will be rehabbed.
— 2.25 miles of Sargent and Seymour roads will be rehabbed.
— 4.67 miles of Horatio Hagood Road will be reconstructed.
— 0.14 miles of Creekfield Road will be rehabbed.
— 0.92 miles of East Moore Street will be rehabbed.
— 1.35 miles of Goodson Road will be reconstructed.
— 0.48 miles of Hugh Ryan Road will be rehabbed.
— 1.16 miles of Sumters Landing Road will be reconstructed.

CLARENDON COUNTY
— 0.41 miles of Main Street will be reconstructed.
— 1.72 miles of Trinity Church Road will be reconstructed.
— 3.62 miles of Main Street/Turbeville Highway will be rehabbed.
— 0.52 miles of Turbeville Highway will be rehabbed.
— 3.86 miles of Old Georgetown Road will be reconstructed.
— 1.23 miles of Spigner Road will be rehabbed.
— 0.45 miles of Salem Road will be rehabbed.
— 0.42 miles of Alcolu Street will be rehabbed.
— 0.2 miles of Ridge Drive will be rehabbed.
— 1.57 miles of American Avenue will be rehabbed.
— 0.22 miles of Burnt Branch Road will be rehabbed.

LEE COUNTY
— 1.20 miles of West Church Street will be rehabbed.
— 3.15 miles of Bethune Highway will be rehabbed.
— 2.16 miles of Sandy Grove Church Road will be rehabbed.
— 3.22 miles of Raccoon Road will be rehabbed.
— 0.41 miles of Cousar Street will be rehabbed.
— 0.73 miles of North/South Nettles Street will be rehabbed.
— 1.3 miles of Pinchum Sly Road will be rehabbed.

“There is no question that the transportation system in South Carolina is critical to our future as a state and to the prosperity of all South Carolinians. With the implementation of the Strategic 10-Year Plan in 2018, we invested a significant amount of the new gas tax in improving our pavements and catching up on more than 30 years of deferred maintenance on our system,” said Secretary of Transportation Justin P. Powell in the release. "[May 16]'s report shows that we are well on the way to meeting our goal, and I’m pleased with the progress we’re making to improve the transportation network here in South Carolina.”'

According to the release, the 10-Year Plan was implemented after a significant increase in funding provided by the General Assembly in the 2017 Roads Bill. The increased and sustainable revenue stream gave the agency the opportunity to make steady strides toward improving the highway system in South Carolina. The program focuses on highway safety, bridges, road resurfacing and interstate capacity.