South Carolina Department of Transportation
Encyclopedia
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is a government agency
in the US state of South Carolina
. Its mission is to build and maintain roads and bridges and administer mass transit services.
By state law
, the SCDOT's function and purpose is the systematic planning, construction, maintenance, and operation of the state highway system and the development of a statewide mass transit system that is consistent with the needs and desires of the public. The SCDOT also coordinates all state and federal programs relating to highways. The goal of the SCDOT is to provide adequate, safe, and efficient transportation services for the movement of people and goods.
reformed the agency as the Department of Highways and Public Transportation (SCDHPT).
The current name, the Department of Transportation, was established in the State Government Restructuring Act of 1993. This act split functions of the SCDHPT to establish the SCDOT and the Department of Public Safety
.
The roots of the state agency trace back to the establishment of a five member highway commission in 1917. Prior to 1917, county governments were entirely responsible for building and maintaining roads. The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916
and the promise of federal money to build highways served as the impetus for the creation of the commission. However, the commission lacked "the authority to designate roads to be improved with federal funds and the power to supervise directly the work being done."
and a seven-member commission
. The Governor appoints one member of the commission and the Secretary of Transportation, who is a member of the Governor's cabinet. The current secretary is H. B. "Buck" Limehouse, Jr.
The other six commissioners each represent a district. The commission districts coincide with the congressional districts of South Carolina. The commissioner is appointed for a term of four years by legislative delegation for that district, that is, the members of the General Assembly that represent voters in that district. The chairman is selected from among all seven members by a vote of the commission.
The secretary hires the division heads, who are known as Deputy Secretaries.
The SCDOT is a centralized government agency. Planning, design, procurement, finance and human resource functions all operate from the central office, or headquarters, in the state capitol of Columbia
. The headquarters building is named for Silas N. Pearman, a former state highway engineer and chief commissioner of the agency.
District offices are located in Columbia
(District #1), Greenwood
(#2), Greenville
(#3), Chester
, (#4), Florence
(#5), Charleston
(#6), Orangeburg
(#7).
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
in the US state of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Its mission is to build and maintain roads and bridges and administer mass transit services.
By state law
State law
In the United States, state law is the law of each separate U.S. state, as passed by the state legislature and adjudicated by state courts. It exists in parallel, and sometimes in conflict with, United States federal law. These disputes are often resolved by the federal courts.-See also:*List of U.S...
, the SCDOT's function and purpose is the systematic planning, construction, maintenance, and operation of the state highway system and the development of a statewide mass transit system that is consistent with the needs and desires of the public. The SCDOT also coordinates all state and federal programs relating to highways. The goal of the SCDOT is to provide adequate, safe, and efficient transportation services for the movement of people and goods.
History
The South Carolina Department of Transportation is still familiarly known as the Highway Department, which is what the agency was called until May 13, 1977 when an act of the South Carolina General AssemblySouth Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
reformed the agency as the Department of Highways and Public Transportation (SCDHPT).
The current name, the Department of Transportation, was established in the State Government Restructuring Act of 1993. This act split functions of the SCDHPT to establish the SCDOT and the Department of Public Safety
South Carolina Department of Public Safety
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety exists to ensure the safety of South Carolina's citizens and visitors. The employees of the Department of Public Safety fulfill this mission by:...
.
The roots of the state agency trace back to the establishment of a five member highway commission in 1917. Prior to 1917, county governments were entirely responsible for building and maintaining roads. The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916
Federal-Aid Highway Act
The following bills and Acts of Congress in the United States have been known as the Federal-Aid Highway Act or similar names:*Federal Aid Road Act of 1916: July 11, 1916, ch...
and the promise of federal money to build highways served as the impetus for the creation of the commission. However, the commission lacked "the authority to designate roads to be improved with federal funds and the power to supervise directly the work being done."
Commission and Secretary
The SCDOT is a department of the state government in the executive branch that reports to a cabinet secretaryCabinet Secretary
A Cabinet Secretary is almost always a senior official who provides services and advice to a Cabinet of Ministers. In many countries, the position can have considerably wider functions and powers, including general responsibility for the entire civil service...
and a seven-member commission
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
. The Governor appoints one member of the commission and the Secretary of Transportation, who is a member of the Governor's cabinet. The current secretary is H. B. "Buck" Limehouse, Jr.
The other six commissioners each represent a district. The commission districts coincide with the congressional districts of South Carolina. The commissioner is appointed for a term of four years by legislative delegation for that district, that is, the members of the General Assembly that represent voters in that district. The chairman is selected from among all seven members by a vote of the commission.
The secretary hires the division heads, who are known as Deputy Secretaries.
Divisions of the SCDOT
The SCDOT has at least three divisions: Mass Transit; Construction, Engineering, and Planning; and Finance and Administration. The commission has the authority to establish additional divisions or to split these statutory divisions into multiples.The SCDOT is a centralized government agency. Planning, design, procurement, finance and human resource functions all operate from the central office, or headquarters, in the state capitol of Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. The headquarters building is named for Silas N. Pearman, a former state highway engineer and chief commissioner of the agency.
Mass Transit Division
The Division of Mass Transit supports the development of a mass transit system and administers the state and federal aid mass transit programs.Engineering Division
The Division of Construction, Engineering, and Planning comprises the largest part of the agency. The Deputy Secretary for this division is traditionally known as the State Highway Engineer. This position is generally recognized as the second-ranking person in the agency.Finance and Administration Division
The Division of Finance and Administration is responsible for the federal aid reimbursements and other financial matters of the agency.Engineering Districts
The SCDOT field offices are divided into seven districts headed by a District Engineering Administrator. The engineering district lines do not follow the same lines as the commission districts. Each District has responsibility for the maintenance, construction, traffic, and equipment (mechanical) operations within its boundaries. A district will oversee six to eight counties.District offices are located in Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
(District #1), Greenwood
Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood is a city in and the county seat of Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 22,071 at the 2000 census and had slightly increased to 22,710 according to a 2009 estimate.-Geography:...
(#2), Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
(#3), Chester
Chester, South Carolina
Chester is a small city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,476 at the 2000 census and a center urban cluster population of 11,140...
, (#4), Florence
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
(#5), Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
(#6), Orangeburg
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Orangeburg, also known as "The Garden City," is the principal city in and the county seat of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The city is also the fifth oldest city in the state of South Carolina. The city population was 12,765 at the 2000 census, within a Greater Orangeburg...
(#7).