Reflecting on the 2025 Workers Memorial

A Message from Secretary Powell

This month, Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell honored our fallen SCDOT brothers and sisters during the Annual Workers Memorial Ceremony. This year’s event included the addition of Jerad Devin Rose, a devoted employee known for his strength, reliability, and dedication. The yearly memorial and the memorial wall itself serves as a tribute to not only the lives lost, but also as a reminder to the public to drive safely and to respect those working on our state roads.

SCDOT is Paving the Way for Tomorrow's Work Force

As part of its educational outreach, SCDOT enjoys visiting classrooms to introduce students to the people, purpose, and possibilities with South Carolina’s transportation system.

By engaging students early, SCDOT hopes to spark interest in transportation careers and raise awareness of its vital role in daily life. Crews share personal stories, equipment demos, and safety tips to help students connect with the agency’s real-world impact - from building roads to keeping traffic moving safely.

At a recent school visit to Wateree Elementary School, SCDOT employees Joseph Brown and Brian Rich shared their experiences working on mowing and paving crews. “We take care of the roads and roadways,” Joseph explained as students lined up to learn more about the equipment on display. Their excitement was clear as they peppered the crew with questions.

Beyond the machinery and job talk, the message is simple: SCDOT is proud of its workforce, and there is a welcome place for future generations to be part of it.

By engaging students as early as elementary school, SCDOT hopes to build long-term awareness and interest in careers within the agency. The outreach also helps students understand the importance of roadway safety and the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep South Carolina moving.

From fourth-grade curiosity to future career aspirations, SCDOT is paving the way, one classroom at a time.

Completed three months ahead of schedule, SCDOT reopened the Airport Road bridge over Rocky Creek in Greenwood County on April 11. Closed in January 2022 due to structural damage from a fallen tree, construction began in August 2024. The new bridge includes major safety upgrades like widened shoulders, improved clear zones, and new guardrails.

SCDOT Supports Partners and Emergency Efforts during Table Rock Wildfires

When wildfires broke out near Table Rock in late March, SCDOT stepped in to assist first responders by managing critical transportation needs and providing necessary resources to other agencies.

Joel Smith, SCDOT Upstate District Maintenance Engineer covering Greenville, Spartanburg, Pickens, and Oconee counties, shared details of the agency’s involvement in the emergency response effort. Although not the lead agency in the wildfire incident, SCDOT played a vital support role alongside the South Carolina Forestry Commission, local fire departments, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

“We provided assistance with traffic control,” Smith explained. “We closed and detoured sections of Highway 11 and Highway 276, which were two main routes that were affected by the fires.”

In addition to traffic management, SCDOT provided a 6,500-gallon tanker truck to supply water in areas where fire hydrants were unavailable.

“The smaller brush trucks that were fighting the fire, it saved them about an hour round trip to get into town to fill up at a hydrant,” Smith informed.

As fire crews began to gain control of the blaze, SCDOT worked quickly to reopen impacted roads and remove message boards, barricades, and other equipment.

Smith emphasized that SCDOT stands ready to support our fellow first-responder agencies in times of need.

“We're really a support agency when it comes to wildfires,” Smith stated. “Whereas like with snow, ice, and hurricanes, we kind of take the lead on things. When it comes to forest fires, we're more of a support agency, where the Forestry Commission, fire departments, and DNR, those agencies take the lead and we just support them with whatever they may potentially need.”

As of April 9, the fires were fully contained, thanks to strong coordination and rapid response from agencies across South Carolina.

SCDOT Successfully Replaces Aging River Drive Bridge to Improve Safety in Cherokee County

SCDOT has completed the replacement of the River Drive (S-49) bridge over Cherokee Creek in Cherokee County, addressing age-related structural wear.

Delivered on an expedited schedule, the new structure and its roadway approaches feature two 10-foot travel lanes with 4-foot shoulders which adds another layer of safety to the roadway. In addition to the bridge replacement, the project includes enhancements to the surrounding roadway such as improved drainage and better visibility. These updates will create a more reliable and efficient corridor for everyday traffic.

The River Drive bridge project is part of an ongoing commitment by SCDOT to upgrade aging infrastructure across the state, particularly in areas where rural access and emergency connectivity are critical. Once completed, the new bridge will restore an essential connection in Cherokee County and offer a safer, smoother ride for years to come.

An Inside Look at the Road Safety Assessment Process from Start to Finish

SCDOT uses Road Safety Assessments (RSAs) to identify and address potential safety concerns on South Carolina’s roads. By getting boots on the ground, RSAs help engineers and planners evaluate real-world conditions and develop targeted solutions to improve safety for all road users. This process assists SCDOT's traffic safety team in upgrading roads across the state.

SCDOT celebrates new Berlin G. Myers Bridge with Summerville Community

On April 25, 2025, SCDOT, alongside officials from the Town of Summerville and Dorchester County, celebrated the official ribbon cutting for the Berlin G. Myers Parkway Phase III Project. Beginning in 2022, this major infrastructure project is being completed more than a year ahead of schedule. With a total investment of $160 million, the Berlin G. Myers Parkway improvements were designed to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and improve traffic flow through one of the region's busiest corridors.

Enhancing Safety and Infrastructure: SC-421 Bridge Replacement Project in Aiken County

SCDOT is replacing the nearly 100-year-old SC-421 bridge over Little Horse Creek in Aiken County due to structural deficiencies caused by age, weather, and traffic. The project is essential for long-term safety and mobility and includes major upgrades to better serve both drivers and pedestrians.

Key Improvements:

Four 12-foot travel lanes
15-foot paved median leading up to the bridge
Curb and gutter on both sides
5-foot sidewalks on each side for improved pedestrian access

To minimize disruptions to traffic during construction, the project has been staged to keep one lane open in each direction throughout the process.

The project officially began on January 3, 2023, and is scheduled for completion by Spring 2026. This replacement is an investment in Aiken County’s infrastructure, improving safety, increasing capacity, and ensuring long term reliability for future generations.

Here’s a throwback look at the construction of the original Chechessee Creek Bridge on Okatie Highway (SC 170) in Jasper County. This bridge is located roughly 10 miles west of Beaufort, SC. The black-and-white photograph was taken during construction of the original bridge on January 19, 1956.

Safety Spotlight: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

SCDOT follows the Federal Highway Administration’s manual on uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD) to create traffic control devices that are consistent with other traffic safety tools across the country. Following these guidelines, SCDOT helps to ensure the safety, mobility, and inclusion of all road users.

Pictured above: Fran Bickley received a national AASHTO Axis Award for Stewardship for her work on the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor affordable housing initiative. One of just three winners nationwide, she accepted the award in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Help us share the news! Subscribe to the e-Edition of The Connector.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Recent Press Releases

View Current Job Openings

Office of Public Engagement

media@scdot.org

(803) 737-1270