South Carolina road funding may not be enough

Experts believe it'll take a decade to fix the major problems on interstates like I-77 and many state highways.

The state's gas tax hasn't been raised in 29 years and there's no plan to do so now.

Some $2.1 billion will pay to fix almost 400 structurally deficient bridges and overpasses, but Channel 9 was recently told that this will leave a shortfall of about $200 million a year to take care of the major road problems around the state.

Some supporters of a gas tax hike said it's the only long term fix while others said they don't blame the state when Washington D.C. isn't sending the money it promised to send.

"South Carolina DOT shouldn't be at fault, South Carolina government shouldn't be at fault, if the federal government has allotted money for these things, so, let's get back to government putting money where it's supposed to be," driver Larry Woods said.

State lawmakers finally passed a bill to put money into roads last year, but a gas tax increase didn't fly.

Lawmakers told Channel 9 that about 70 percent of state roads are considered to be in poor shape.

Cox Media Group