South Carolina Lawmakers Seek $500M to Repair Flood-Damaged Roads

Democratic leaders in the South Carolina Senate say they will introduce a bill to borrow $500 million to repair or replace roads and bridges damaged by last month’s catastrophic flooding.

Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setzler said Monday the amount can be adjusted after the Department of Transportation provides cost estimates. DOT Secretary Christy Hall has said she expects to better know the state’s costs by Thanksgiving.

Legislators can begin pre-filing bills next month for the session that starts in January.

The bill to be filed by Setzler and Assistant Minority Leader John Matthews would allow 25 percent of the borrowed amount to fix county-owned roads and bridges. Local governments could apply for funding.

Setzler said he wants to limit the bill’s borrowing to infrastructure damaged by last month’s historic rainfall.

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