Clyburn voices support SCDOT projects

Statement

U.S. Rep. Jim Cleburne (D-SC) recently voiced his support of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Commission's decision to repurpose funds for local highway projects.

"I support the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission's action today to repurpose certain federal highway funds to make critical investments in communities in the 6th Congressional District," Clyburn said. "Today's action will create jobs, improve infrastructure, enhance public safety and contribute to essential community development and revitalization. Many of the communities that will benefit from this action have suffered decades of neglect. I was proud to work with local elected officials and community leaders to repurpose these funds for projects they have championed for decades and are prepared to meet the 20 percent match requirement. Consequently, these projects -- which meet the legal requirement of being within a 50-mile radius of the original site -- will not cost South Carolina taxpayers any additional funds or take away any state resources from other highway projects."

Projects include Manning Avenue/N. Main Corridor Revitalization in Sumter for $11.5 million, which was requested by the City of Sumter. Orangeburg County requested $6.5 million for the Russell St/Magnolia Street revitalization; the University of South Carolina requested $3 million for S. Main Street in Columbia; and a partnership between SCDOT, the City of Orangeburg, Orangeburg County and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments asked for $500,000 for Zan Street in Orangeburg.

Source