SC road and bridge naming comes at a cost to taxpayers and local roads.

For example, erecting and later changing the name on signs at Columbia Metro Airport in Lexington County cost $2,784.

It was the most expensive of 44 approved requests for signs. The money came from gas taxes you pay to maintain local roads. Former DOT commissioner John Hardee’s name had to be removed from the signs after he:

• Pleaded guilty to obstruction for trying to destroy evidence in an FBI investigation.

• Was caught in a sting operation trying to buy sex from a prostitute.

The DOT Commission approved changing the signs from “John N. Hardee Expressway” to “Columbia Airport Expressway.”

The year before, Gov. Henry McMaster refused to renominate Hardee to another term as a DOT Commissioner.

He did this despite Hardee being the son-in-law of powerful state Sen. Hugh Leatherman of Florence.

That came a week after we revealed that Hardee was a paid consultant for lobbyists who received thousands annually from public agencies.

SC lawmakers routinely approve naming roads and bridges for living or deceased persons.

These include ex-legislators and other former public officials.

Not only does it take up a lot of lawmakers’ time that could be spent on larger, more pressing issues.

It comes with a cost to taxpayers – and local road maintenance.

The signs’ costs come largely from funds to repair local roads.

DOT records show that 94 new signs cost $28,776 under 44 proposals approved from March 2019 to February of this year.

Typically, two signs were produced and erected per request at a total cost of $594.

The reimbursement is capped by law at $500, DOT said.

The sign proposals are made through concurrent resolutions.

Unlike general bills, these can’t be reviewed or vetoed by the governor.

State law requires a county delegation majority to approve since the money comes from “C” funds in state gasoline tax revenue.

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