Earlier this year, the South Carolina House of Representatives created the SCDOT Modernization Committee. This committee is working to take a closer look at how the South Carolina Department of Transportation plans, designs, and funds transportation projects.

Palmetto Walk Bike submitted a detailed paper, Cut Red Tape, Build Safer Transportation in South Carolina, outlining policy reforms and practical steps the Legislature can take to streamline project delivery, improve safety, and make better use of existing funding.

We’ve worked closely with partners across South Carolina… including the East Coast Greenway, Charleston Moves, UGATA, BikeWalkGreenville, Lowcountry Walk Bike, and many others to make sure every committee meeting has featured public input from advocates, planners, and experts committed to building a safer, more connected transportation system for all South Carolinians.

We are confident we have been heard so far.

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Our Key Recommendations, And Why They Matter

• Fully implement SCDOT’s Complete Streets policy and use context sensitive design standards
  • This ensures streets are built for the people who use them. Neighborhood roads get safer crossings and slower speeds. Town centers get sidewalks and bike access. Highways stay highways. Matching the design to the place keeps people safer.
• Create statewide standards for crosswalks, pedestrian beacons, and refuge islands
  • Right now, these tools are inconsistent across the state between various SCDOT district offices. Clear standards make it easier for communities to get proven safety fixes without years of back and forth.
• Dedicate 2 percent of existing federal transportation funds to safety projects
  • A small shift in current funding would create a stable pot of money for sidewalks, safer intersections, and basic lighting. These improvements prevent crashes and make everyday trips safer for everyone.
• Create a State Active Transportation Fund
  • Local governments often know the exact spots that need attention but lack the resources to fix them. This fund could help fill sidewalk gaps, improve bus access, and connect trails.
• Create a state transit fund
  • Better transit creates safer choices and expands access to jobs and services in communities of every size in SC.
• Create a road ownership “turn back” process
  • Many local streets are controlled by SCDOT across South Carolina, which sometimes slows down simple fixes. If cities are willing to take ownership of their roads back from SCDOT, with funding attached, they can add crosswalks, calm traffic, and fill sidewalk gaps much faster.

We’ll continue to stay engaged as the committee develops its recommendations and will keep pushing for a transportation system that works for everyone, whether you drive, walk, bike, or take transit.

Coming soon! Our full white paper: Cut Red Tape, Build Safer Transportation in South Carolina (October 2025)

You can watch previous hearings and find updates on the South Carolina Statehouse website.

And you can view the list of committee members at this link.