South Carolina drivers are all too familiar with the state of our crumbling roadways. Many drivers have been stuck paying for expensive repairs to their vehicles because of it, and have turned to the state for compensation for failing to maintain the roads.<\/p>\n
According to one South Carolina newspaper, the state has paid approximately $40 million since 2010 to settle lawsuits against the Department of Transportation. Instead of leaving the potholes the government should fix them! We deserve better highways and roads in South Carolina. If the potholes were removed, drivers and legislators would save time and money every year.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, South Carolina legislators are still debating on how best to address this widespread and urgent problem with the state\u2019s infrastructure. The Senate has finally granted approval of a $400 million statewide improvement plan to repave roads, but this is only a fraction of what is needed to bring all infrastructure up to excellent condition. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce wants the state to spend at least an additional $600 million per year over the next decade to adequately address all infrastructure concerns, including fixing structurally-deficient and weight-restricted bridges that are also in desperate need of repair. The one-year injection of $400 million is not enough to touch even one of these bridges. The Transportation Department estimates that approximately $1.2 billion per year for the next three decades is the actual amount needed to make all necessary improvements.<\/p>\n
Our taxpayer dollars should be going towards fixing our roads, not fixing our cars damaged by potholes. The state\u2019s failure to maintain our vital infrastructure has resulted in a number of preventable car accidents and property damage that has accounted for millions of dollars.<\/p>\n