Gas Tax Watch

The state hasn’t replaced one bad bridge with gas tax revenues in nearly 2 years.

Despite lawmakers’ promises the money would be used to fix crumbling roads and bridges, the Department of Transportation has completed few bridge projects with other revenues.

Of 422 bridge projects listed under DOT’s 10-Year Plan, only 36 – less than 9% – have been completed.

Another 257 projects – 61% of the total – have “to be determined” start dates.

At least 8 unfinished bridge projects were started in 2014, 2015 or 2016 – long before the gas-tax-hike law took effect in 2017.

No bridge projects under the 10-year plan have been completed in more than half of the state’s 46 counties.

On its website, DOT lists slightly over $1 billion in road and bridge work to be done statewide with new gas tax money, which raised the gas tax 12 cents a gallon over 6 years and increased other vehicle taxes and fees.

Another 2-cent increase will take effect July 1.

Nearly $250 million is for interstate widenings.

DOT has said 465 out of 750 “structurally deficient” bridges statewide have to be replaced, while 80% of 42,000 miles of roads needs resurfacing or rebuilding.

DOT chief Christy Hall did not respond to written questions including why little has been spent on bridges under the gas-tax-hike law.

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

We have 3 of state’s

worst bridges

3 Lexington County bridges are among the state’s worst.

According to a report released by AAA, the Interstate 26 bridge over the Southern Railway 3 miles west of West Columbia is the 2nd-worst in the state.

About 568,400 cars pass over this bridge weekly, according to the report.

2 other bridges on I-26 in Lexington County also made AAA’s list.

The bridge that passes over SC 302, 2 miles southwest of West Columbia is the 4th worst.

The one that passes over US 1 a mile west of West Columbia is the 5th worst.

No work is scheduled for any of the bridges on the list.

— Rick Brundrett