A gubernatorial commission covered well-mapped territory in its examination of state highway problems, but its conclusions are worth repeating. South Carolina's secondary roads are in woeful condition and revenue has to be provided for their repair.
The Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance (MAP) found that South Carolina maintains the fourth largest highway system in the country with the lowest level of revenues. The state has the third highway fatality rate in the nation, with 60 percent of those deaths occurring on roads that don't qualify for federal funds.
"Not only are those roads in disrepair due to the lack of a state-resurfacing program, but there are also a large number of bridges on these roadways that will require repair or replacement within the next few years," the MAP Commission said.
South Carolina spends $9,486 per mile for road construction and maintenance. That compares to $55,401 regionally and $75,500 nationally, the commission reports. The state's per capita contribution for highway construction is the lowest in the Southeast.
The low amount of spending largely reflects the state's comparatively low gas tax. South Carolina relies on the 16-cent gas tax for about 95 percent of its revenue. The tax hasn't been increased since 1986 and is one of the lowest in the nation.
The relatively low level of state funding has led the DOT to concentrate state funds on roads eligible for matching federal assistance. Those include interstates and primary roads. Secondary roads too often have been provided minimal, if any, maintenance.
The MAP Commission concludes that "funding for the maintenance and construction or roads and bridges needs to be increased." It recommends a reevaluation of the gas tax, as well as examining the potential for toll roads and impact fees by developers. But tolls are used to pay off bonds for construction of the roads that are tolled, or for their maintenance. Impact fees can help specific roadways that are affected by new development, but can't be expected to provide general maintenance funding. DOT has estimated its maintenance and construction backlog at $9.4 billion. Raising the state gas tax a nickel would bring in about $125 million a year.
The report urges the state "to more efficiently capture trucker and tourist dollars, since they greatly impact the highway system." Again, the gasoline tax is paid by every motorist who buys gas in South Carolina, whether a resident or a tourist.
The Legislature hasn't been willing to talk about the gas tax because of the potential political fallout. But having roads that are generally unsafe also is a potential political liability. The Legislature has to recognize its responsibility to provide the Department of Transportation with more revenue so that DOT can provide the public with safer roads. The gas tax is the most logical source.
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