No paving projects were completed in December with gas taxes in 37 counties.

Yet the state had nearly $500 million in cash for those projects.

The total value of completed projects and percent of the total estimated cost of paving projects as of Dec. 31 in Lexington was $1.3 million (4.96%).

In 2.5 years of the gas-tax-hike law, $1.04 billion was collected. That represents 84.3% of the $1.2 billion in project commitments identified by the Department of Transportation, according to its own records.

Total revenues in December grew nearly $81 million, or 8.3%, over November.

That’s more than enough money to finish paving projects identified so far.

Yet as of Dec. 31, listed projects of $256.7 million, or 30.4% of the overall estimated $843.5 million cost of all projects, were completed,

DOT records show 5 of the state’s largest counties – Lexington, Charleston, Greenville, Horry and Richard – fell below 30%.

$456.2 million was paid to vendors in 30 month including tens of millions in payments for safety improvements such as widening shoulders, adding guardrails, and “crack sealing.”

Another $110 million included transfers to the state Department of Revenue to help cover an income tax credit created with the gas-tax-hike law, and to the County Transportation Committee for local roads.

That left $478 million in a special fund set up under the gas-tax-hike law.

In passing the law, which raised the state gas tax 12 cents a gallon over 6 years and increased other vehicle taxes and fees, lawmakers promised that it would fix the state’s crumbling roads and bridges.

DOT has said 80% of the state’s 42,000 miles of roads needs resurfacing or rebuilding and 465 of 750 bridges need to be replaced.

The SC Policy Council contends the gas-tax-hike law, which took effect July 1, 2017, was written to allow DOT to divert revenues to pay off bond debts.

Brundrett is the news editor of The Nerve. Contact him at 803-254-4411 or rick@thenerve.org .