COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The state Department of Transportation estimates needing an additional $1.5 billion yearly over 20 years to bring roads to "good" condition. It's responsible for maintaining:
- 41,444 highway miles: 851 interstate miles, 9,475 miles of federal and state highways, and 31,118 miles of secondary roads. Nearly 70 percent of secondary roads aren't eligible for any federal funding.
- 8,383 bridges
- 9 welcome centers
- 19 rest areas
- mowing of 128,000 roadside acres
- 20 million feet of sidewalk
- 1,700 miles of guardrail
- 5,600 traffic signals and flashers
- 643,000 traffic signs
- 23 million feet of curbs and gutters
Of those nearly 8,400 bridges:
- 7 are closed
- 420 have weight restrictions for crossing
- 886 are rated in poor condition
- 777 are considered functionally obsolete, due to outdated designs
Of those nearly 41,500 highway miles:
- 53 percent of secondary roads rate in "poor" condition; 36 percent are "fair," and 11 percent are "good"
- 47 percent of federal and state highways rate "poor;" 40 percent "fair," and 13 percent "good"
- 8 percent of interstate miles are "poor," 23 percent "fair," and 69 percent "good"
Source: SC Department of Transportation
