Reforming the DOT in South Carolina
Changing transportation planning to better save ecosystems – and money
©Dwight Dyke
In a groundbreaking move, South Carolina passed a law last year to reform how its transportation agency chooses projects and spends money to ensure the best use of limited taxpayer dollars while protecting the state’s natural environment.
The move came less than a year after an independent legislative audit found that the SC Department of Transportation had wasted millions of dollars and violated multiple state and federal regulations. The audit prompted state leaders to acknowledge the need for major reform at the massive agency—which SELC and our South Carolina partners have long advocated. Having battled with the agency for years over unnecessary, expensive and environmentally damaging highway projects, we were ready to respond with a slate of needed reforms.
SELC, our close ally the Coastal Conservation League, and many others worked hard to educate the lawmakers about problems at SCDOT, and to promote these reforms. On June 27, 2007, Governor Mark Sanford signed the reform bill into law, which compels SCDOT to:
- Select its projects based on objective analysis of real transportation need rather than political pressures,
- Factor into the selection process the cost, safety, and environmental impacts – including potential impacts to air, water and natural areas.
- Consider less destructive alternatives to new highways and bridges, including community-based options for transit and bike and pedestrian routes, improved signalization and alternatives to single occupant driving; and
- Ensure full public participation in major transportation decisions.
