Nearly 36 miles of Richland roads set to be repaved
Portions of 43 roads across Richland County are set to be repaved after the County Transportation Committee approved Tuesday spending $7.5 million to resurface nearly 36 miles of roadways.
The money will come from Richland County’s $10.4 million share of $216 million in surplus money that S.C. lawmakers last year divided among the state’s 46 counties. That money must be spent on state roads.
The county previously had approved resurfacing nearly 20 roads in the Town Eastover, at a cost of about $960,000.
Transportation Committee chairman James Brown said the projects are "shovel ready" because they are resurfacing, adding the spring is paving season.
The Richland roads being repaved include:
▪ Bookman Loop from Monticello Road to Monticello Road.
▪ Brickyard Road from Peeples Street to Lakeside Avenue
▪ Crane Church Road from Fairfield Road to Heyward Brockington Road
▪ Firetower Road from near Kennerly Road to Western Lane
▪ Old Two Notch Road from Bookman Road to Two Notch Road
▪ Rabbit Run from Trotter Road to Lower Richland Boulevard
▪ South Kilbourne Road from Live Oak Street to Rosewood Drive
Cassie Cope: 803-771-8657, @cassielcope
Money from earmarks could be freed up; Senate filibuster continues
About $36 million in federal-earmark money could be used on other road projects, according to the S.C. Department of Transportation.
The state roads agency still is awaiting guidance from the Federal Highway Administration on the exact amount available, Secretary Christy Hall said Tuesday.
However, money earmarked for Interstate 73, a proposed interstate to Myrtle Beach, likely would not be eligible to be spent on other projects, Hall said.
State Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, referenced the money Tuesday, arguing S.C. residents deserve to have lawmakers look at all money available for road repairs before hiking the state’s 16.75-cent-a-gallon gas tax.
Davis filibustered for nearly seven hours Tuesday, blocking senators from debating a proposal to increase that gas tax to pay to repair roads.
This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 8:46 PM.