Advancing NEPA Assignment, Accelerating Project Delivery in South Carolina | | |
In this month's update, Secretary Powell discusses South Carolina's next step toward accelerating transportation project delivery through the pursuit of NEPA Assignment.
He explains how the authority granted under the SCDOT Modernization Act will allow the department to streamline environmental review responsibilities, reduce unnecessary regulatory delays, and move critical infrastructure projects from planning to construction more efficiently, all while maintaining the same environmental protections and commitment to transparency.
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Nighttime Work Ongoing to Upgrade I-20 in Richland County | |
Work is underway to bring a six-mile section of I-20 in Richland County up to current federal design standards.
Between mile markers 70 and 76, crews are working at night to correct the cross slope of the interstate and superelevation of the curves.
Cross slope is the side-to-side tilt of the road’s surface, allowing for better water runoff. And superelevation is the banking of the roadway around curves, raising the outer edge higher than the inner edge – allowing for smoother rides for motorists traveling on curves at higher interstate speeds.
These upgrades should be completed by the end of Fall 2026, with some additional work ongoing to fully wrap up the project by the end of the year.
If you’re traveling through this area at night, be aware these operations are still ongoing. Obey posted work zone warning signs and speed limits to keep our crews and contracting partners safe while they complete this work.
| | Vital Bridge Connection 25% Complete on Counts Sausage Road in Newberry County | | |
In Newberry County, crews are a quarter of the way through replacing the bridge on Counts Sausage Road.
Construction began in March of 2026, and since then, crews have cleared the old bridge to make way for a new structure. They are working to build the caps for both sides of the bridge while also creating a solid, concrete and steel foundation for the new structure.
The bridge project is expected to be complete by the Fall of 2027.
| | Road Upgrades Improve Safety and Mobility in Spartanburg County | | |
Reidville Road (SC-296) and East Main Street (US 29) in Spartanburg County were just refreshed with new asphalt and pavement markings, as well as painted lines and better accommodations for pedestrians and cyclists.
On Reidville Road, crews have been working since March to resurface 5.37 miles of this route. Along with the new paving, drivers will also see wider shoulders, signal improvements, medians, and sidewalks.
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East Main Street in Spartanburg has been reconfigured for a road diet, meaning there are fewer travel lanes for drivers, but more space for on-street parking, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Both paving projects are complete and ready to provide a smooth welcome to Spartanburg.
| | Reducing Confusion and Danger, Increasing Safety in York with New Roundabout | | |
Commuters traveling on US 321 into York can breathe a little easier during their daily drive. A newly constructed three-legged roundabout at SC 161 and US 321 has officially transformed one of the area’s most hazardous intersections.
Construction originally began in July 2024 to replace an outdated intersection where traffic merged along a curve with crossing travel lanes, driveways, and a confusing mix of stop and yield signs. Handling an average daily traffic volume of 12,000 vehicles, this busy corridor needed a modern upgrade to eliminate severe conflict points (points where vehicles cross paths) and keep motorists moving safely.
Completed in late March 2026, this intersection conversion is just one example of our commitment to upgrading outdated transportation infrastructure across South Carolina.
| | Load-Restricted Bridge Replaced in Horry County | | |
Great news for local drivers in Horry County. The newly reconstructed Red Bluff Road (S-31) bridge over Tod Swamp opened to traffic on July 2, 2026, delivering a safer, smoother ride for the community – after just 4 months of construction.
Red Bluff Road was closed in early March 2026 to begin replacing the aging, load-restricted 45-foot-long structure. The new bridge is 75-feet-long and brings vital infrastructure improvements to this busy rural major collector route.
Designed to easily support increasing traffic, the new bridge is built to support the area's growth. In 2024, the average daily traffic volume across the bridge was 6,400 vehicles, with an estimated 12,000 vehicles per day using the bridge by 2044.
This bridge replacement was built on alignment, meaning Red Bluff Road was closed during construction so that the old bridge structure could be demolished to allow for the new structure to be built in the same location.
This project is part of our ongoing effort to replace load-restricted bridges across the state.
Thank you for your patience during construction and as we work to upgrade South Carolina’s road and bridge network.
| | Safer Streets in Summerville: Finishing Improvements to SC 61 | | |
On the southwestern side of Summerville, SCDOT contractors are close to completing safety improvements on five miles of SC 61. The upgrades to the highway are being made between US 17A and SC 165 (Delemar Highway).
This is one of two of SCDOT’s Rural Road Safety Program projects actively under construction in Dorchester County. Back in June, we shared insights into a separate Rural Road Safety Program project on US 17A in Dorchester County that was recently completed near the current construction on SC 61. South Carolina’s rural roads that have seen these safety improvements have already seen a 30% drop in fatal and serious injury crashes and a 54% decrease in roadway departure crashes resulting in fatal and serious injuries.
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On SC 61, SCDOT contractors have been repaving the highway, adding brighter pavement markers, widening the shoulders of the road, addressing clear zone needs and installing rumble strips within the 5-mile limits of this project. As a primary route to numerous subdivisions and local K-12 schools, contractors will be completing safety improvements just in time for local families to have full access to the highway at the start of the school year.
The roadwork is expected to be completed before the end of August. To learn more about SCDOT’s progress to improve roadway safety across the state, click here.
| | Renovating Rural Roads: Improvements to US 321 in Bamberg County | | |
SCDOT is working to finish a pavement improvement project along a rural highway that connects numerous counties across the state. Nine miles of US 321 are being upgraded in Bamberg County, between Sand Spur Road and the intersection at US 301.
The project starts just south of the city of Denmark and runs further south on US 321, through the towns of Govan and Olar, and ends just north of Allendale County, near the town of Ulmer. SCDOT traffic data shows that between 1,500-3,100 vehicles, on average, rely on this section of US 321 for their daily drive. About 20% of the average daily traffic in this nine-mile stretch of the highway comes from trucks carrying goods through the state.
This project is part of SCDOT’s Pavement Improvement Program, which includes more than 8,500 miles of previously approved projects across South Carolina. An additional 734 miles of paving projects have already been planned within the next year, including five new projects on Bamberg County’s neighborhood streets, rural routes and major roads.
Though most of the work to repave US 321 has been completed, crews are expected to continue construction through the fall. The project is scheduled to be finished by the start of October.
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On July 19, 1955, crews in Jasper County were working hard to construct US 17 between Ridgeland and US 17A.
This connection was created to help support local growth, separate everyday commuters from tourists, and accommodate the transportation of goods across state lines.
Today, SCDOT has widened 4.1 miles of this route to turn it into a 4-lane highway. As US 17 continues to support interstate travel, transportation of goods, and hurricane evacuation, SCDOT is ensuring this route can continue to provide vital connection for years to come.
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As the back-to-school season begins, increased traffic puts students at a higher risk for transportation-related injuries. To keep children safe, SCDPS and SCDOT encourage parents and teachers to talk about and practice safety habits for walking, biking, and riding to school.
Drivers are urged to slow down, stay alert in school zones, and remember that passing a stopped school bus with extended arms and flashing red lights is illegal. Help us make this a safe and happy school year for the whole community.
| | Pictured above: SCDOT announced the completion of the US 17 Widening Project in Jasper County at a ribbon cutting ceremony today. The newly widened roadway is now open to traffic, marking a significant improvement for safety, mobility, and regional connectivity. | | |
Employee Updates (August 2026):
New Employees
Retirements
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