Working at SCDOT: Highway Maintenance Career Path | |
The South Carolina Department of Transportation offers a great promotion path for new highway maintenance workers - with free CDL training and great state government benefits to help you build a career you can be proud of. Apply today online on the SCDOT career webpage. | |
Paving Work on Heyward Street in Downtown Columbia | |
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SCDOT’s Richland Maintenance forces recently finished paving work on two sections of
Heyward Street in downtown Columbia. The in-house paving job took place in early September near the University of South Carolina's soccer stadium and indoor track field.
The work was split into two separate days, so it wouldn't interfere with the increased traffic due to a scheduled home soccer game. Paving and painting of parking lines were completed on the first section on Wednesday, September 6. Work resumed the following Monday, with the second street block being paved.
The two day paving job included milling of the original asphalt, placing and compacting new asphalt, painting new parking lines and laying new thermoplastic railroad markings. In total, SCDOT placed and compacted 260 tons of new asphalt on Heyward Street, giving students, residents and fans a smoother ride around USC's athletic venues.
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SCDOT employees compete in Southeast Regional RoadEO | |
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Each year SCDOT hosts the Equipment Operator’s Safety Training Conference and RoadEO. Operators from across the state compete in six events – Single Axle Dump Truck, Tandem Axle Dump Truck, Tractor Truck with Lowboy Trailer, Backhoe, Motor Grader and Tractor with Mower.
Competition starts at the county level. First and second place winners advance to District, State and finally the Regional RoadEO. Congratulations to the 12 contestants representing SCDOT at the Regional RoadEO in Beckley, West Virginia.
Stay tuned for Regional RoadEO results in November's issue of The Connector e-Edition!
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On Sept. 21, 2023, the SCDOT Regional RoadEO Team held their last practice before heading off to compete in Beckley, West Virginia. The team was honored with a BBQ luncheon after their practice with food prepared SCDOT employees. Here, the team poses ready to come back with first place in the southeastern region.
Click here for a poster with the names of the contestants and their RoadEO events.
Below, a video introduction to each of the team members.
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Team SC Holds Public Involvement Meeting for Proposed Scout Motors Site and Interchange | |
Team SC held a meeting at Doko Manor in Blythewood on September 19 about the Scout Motors project. A media briefing was held prior to the event, and representatives from SCDOT, DHEC, SCDNR, SCDAH, Richland County, S.C. Commerce, and Scout Motors were available to provide information and answer questions.
SCDOT is accepting public comments regarding the proposed interchange through October 18, 2023. Visit i77exit26.com to provide comments and learn more about the proposed interchange off Interstate 77.
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Meet Oconee Resident Construction Engineer - and Clemson sports radio host - Alan Adams | |
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There is hardly a dull moment in the daily life of Oconee Resident Construction Engineer Alan Adams. He’s a dedicated family man, youth leader and whitewater rafting guide; he also finds time to play flag football and church basketball. That’s not all; on Tuesday nights during the football season, he co-hosts a popular radio show discussing all things Clemson sports.
Adams has co-hosted The Morgan Thomas Show for three years. He gets to work alongside his best friend, and stay connected to his Clemson family. There is nothing rehearsed about his two hour on-air presence as he is always prepared to talk Clemson.
“There are times where we will discuss topics ahead of time,” he said. “Other times, the material presents itself and we just wing it.”
Adams doesn’t fumble when discussing a game. He is knowledgeable, describing everything from the talents of star players to the philosophies of a respected football coach. After all, you have to remain cool when placing yourself on a public platform talking about one of America’s most beloved sports. This is especially true here in the South where “football is king,” as Adams puts it. Not surprisingly, there are times when anonymous listeners will give the hosts a hard time based on their opinions.
“Sometimes we say something that was meant sarcastically, and they’ll take it as gospel,” he said. “It keeps things interesting for sure.”
Much like the sport itself, the show is not the same every week. It’s live, and he loves everything about it. One of his favorite moments? Hosting the show by himself one night and getting thrown off topic by a great conversation with a caller who ended up becoming the second co-host!
It isn’t just football that keeps him engaged in his show, it is his loyalty to Clemson.
“There’s something in those hills,” he recalls the famous phrase that many fans have heard. “The campus is beautiful and the people are wonderful.”
The Clemson family is a real thing to him, and a football tailgate will prove just how welcoming the community tends to be. He is proud to be a part of that family---live on air, praising the football team at it highs and remaining loyal at its lows.
Want to hear more from Alan? Tune into The Morgan Thomas Show every Tuesday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 105.5 The Roar.
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SCDOT Restores Traffic Signal after Unforeseen Event | |
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In an uncommon event during the evening storm on September 11, 2023, a nearby power line snapped and collided with a traffic signal pole, triggering a surge that resulted in extensive damage to the signal's electrical components.
The unexpected voltage surge was so powerful that it dislodged one of the signal pole caps and other parts of the equipment. This occurrence, while rare, prompted a swift response from SCDOT.
Recognizing the need for a significant and time-consuming repair, the Dorchester Maintenance crew was mobilized to install temporary stop signs at the intersection. When a traffic signal is inoperative, it immediately becomes an all-way stop, and signs are quickly placed for temporary traffic control.
SCDOT collaborated with an approved traffic signal contractor for the emergency repair. The incident was also promptly communicated to the public through a press release and coordination with the Dorchester County Public Information Office. Within just 48 hours, through the combined efforts of the SCDOT signal crew and a contractor, the signal was fully repaired and restored to normal operation.
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Our Roads Take You Places
SCDOT video series begins in Loris, at the 44th Annual Bog-Off
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Want to enjoy our beautiful state but don't know where to start? Time to hit the road! For our first video in new series, we travel South Carolina roads to Horry County, where we learn about the 44th Annual Loris Bog-Off.
Watch the Video
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Celebrating SCDOT's Customer Service Pros This Week | |
This week is Customer Service Week! Thank you to the SCDOT Customer Service Team for all you do to provide help and information to SCDOT's customers - the people of South Carolina. | |
SCDOT Participates in One DOT Summit | |
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On September 7 at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, SCDOT had a table at the One-DOT University Transportation Summit to provide information on the career opportunities that SCDOT has to offer. Students from South Carolina’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) met and spoke with Teiyanna Chandler, Russell Earle, D’mont Zeigler and Alex Bennett.
The SCDOT employees shared their experiences as graduates of S.C. State working at SCDOT, and provided them an opportunity to connect and share their resumes. The students at the summit represented HBCUs including: South Carolina State University, Claflin University, Vorhees College, Benedict College, Morris College, Clinton College, Denmark Technical College.
SCDOT’s Director of Minority and Small Business Affairs Greg Davis participated in a panel discussion on HBCU awareness, technical assistance, capacity building and opportunities for collaboration during the summit. The panel included SCSU Student Moderator Bailey Scott of Columbia, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Director of Safety Programs Patrick Nemons, U.S. Department of Transportation Associate Administrator Keith Benjamin, SCDOT Director of Minority and Small Business Affairs Greg Davis, Executive Director of USDOT Mid South Atlantic SBTRC Joe Jackson, and U.S. Department of Transportation Director of Civil Rights Irene Marion.
Thanks to these SCDOT employees and partners for bringing #OneDOT to these South Carolina students and potential future transportation leaders.
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SCDOT Commission Tours Midlands Connection Project | |
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On September 20, the SCDOT Commission and senior staff examined the Midlands Connection project on I-26. The project runs between mile markers 85 and 101 and is a heavily traveled route into and through Columbia from northwestern regions of the state. The project includes widening the interstate to three lanes in each direction between mile markers 85 to 97, and widening the interstate to four lanes in each direction between mile markers 97 to 101.
The project includes replacing seven bridges though the area and three interchanges. Exit 97, also known as the Peak Exit, will get a diverging diamond interchange. This is a relatively new type of interchange in South Carolina. The first diverging diamond interchange built in South Carolina is Fort Mill at Exit 88 on I-77 in York County.
District 1 Construction Engineer Jason Fulmer gave details on the project and answered questions during the presentation at SCDOT headquarters. After the presentation inside, the Commission traveled to and through the project to get a firsthand look.
View more photos of the Commission tour.
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Cherokee County Resident Maintenance Engineer By Day and Assistant Fire Chief by Night
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Nestled between Spartanburg County and the North Carolina border sits Cherokee County, a beautiful and scenic place with rolling hills filled with farmland, small towns and winding creeks. And in Cherokee County is small community called Grassy Pond, spanning about 24 square miles. There are 35 firefighters who staff the Grassy Pond Fire Department, including Cherokee County Resident Maintenance Engineer Stephen Ellis, or, as he’s called there, Assistant Chief Ellis. | |
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Stephen said about 30 of those firefighters who staff the department are volunteers, including himself. The fire station gets around 300 to 400 calls per year.
When he was in his teens, his interest was piqued by his uncle and family members who were firefighters. Stephen began participating in programs at his local fire department when he was 16 and continued working throughout high school and even during his time at Clemson University.
Stephen said he gets a lot of satisfaction from both jobs because he enjoys serving his community which is a part of both working at DOT and being a volunteer firefighter. He said there are similarities like maintaining equipment, serving the public and planning.
“We try to have a plan but it doesn’t always work the way you plan. It’s the same with firefighting.”
Part of the overlap between Stephen’s job as Assistant Chief and Cherokee County RME is that during emergencies involving traffic, he knows how to communicate efficiently with DOT crews who may need to respond to the scene.
He said that another similarity to DOT is the push to recruit people to become firefighters.
“We use social media and our website to get people’s attention. For the next 10 to 20 years we’re in good shape but we need to keep an eye out for people who are interested in becoming involved,” said Stephen.
Stephen says his job at the fire department is not just putting out fires or responding to emergencies. He also educates people on fire safety and helps the community with fire prevention, like installing fire alarms.
Certified as a Firefighter I & II as well as Fire Instructor I, Stephen and his team train once a week on topics like auto extrication, hooking up a fire truck to a water source, or practicing search and rescue.
“We try to train on our basic skills that we’ll use on every fire call,” he said.
Stephen says that people who want to become volunteer firefighters need to be able to work well with others, put others’ needs before their own needs and have a willingness to help others on what may be the worst day of their lives.
“There are going to be times when it’s not convenient for you to answer a call, but somebody needs you.”
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New Signs Near You: Slower Traffic Move Right
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Slower Traffic Move Right: That's the law on South Carolina highways. Except when passing, slower-moving vehicles should use the right lane. This should help prevent congestion and keep traffic flowing safely. Look for these new signs, posted by SCDOT, along Interstate Highways throughout the state. | |
Opportunities to Give Help, and Get Help, Coming Soon | |
SCDOT families helping other SCDOT families. It’s what we do. If you or someone you know could use assistance this holiday season – we’re here to help. The SC Cares program helps provide gifts, clothing and necessities to eligible SCDOT families. An application will be available soon, as well as opportunities to give. For more information, please contact Meagan Hare at 803-737-0080 or Haley Ingram at 803-737-1196. | |
This month's historical photo is an aerial view of Hearon Circle, in Spartanburg, on July 21, 1958. | | | | |
