The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently released the latest episode in its “State DOT 2-Minute Update” video series; this one highlighting the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
[Above photo by AASHTO]
The video features Justin Powell, SCDOT’s secretary, providing an overview of the agency’s current initiatives and future plans.
Powell – confirmed as the agency’s secretary by the state legislature in April 2024 – previously served as SCDOT’s chief operating officer, chief of staff, and as deputy secretary for finance and administration.
He was also elected treasurer of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in April.
As SCDOT enters the final years of its 10-Year Plan, Powell explained that his agency is concentrating on improving pavement conditions, reducing the state’s high rural road fatality rate, replacing over 530 bridges, and advancing interstate projects across South Carolina.
In recognition of the state’s rapid population growth, SCDOT is developing a multimodal “Momentum 2050” plan to address the state’s future transportation needs.
Powell said this plan focuses on maintaining infrastructure in a state of good repair, enhancing freight movement capabilities, balancing the transportation demands of both metropolitan and rural areas, and strengthening partnerships with intermodal agencies such as the Aeronautics Commission, state railroad, and Port Authority.
“We are one of the fastest growing states in the country,” Powell explained in the video. “[That’s why] we’ve been beginning to pivot to our Momentum 2050 plan, which really focuses us to be able to position South Carolina for the growth that we’re seeing now and that we anticipate to see in the future.”
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