SC DOT says overdue bills to contractors are paid

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The state Department of Transportation says it’s no longer overdue on payments to highway contractors.

Agency spokesman Pete Poore said Thursday the agency is caught up on invoices that were older than the state’s allowed payment window of 30 working days. To prevent getting behind again, the agency may delay work on major construction projects to ensure it can cover its bills.

Poore says the length of any potential delay would be negotiated with the contractor and will not affect work already under way.

Last week, the agency announced it would defer $24 million in small projects statewide such as resurfacing.

The agency received a $52 million advance from the Federal Highway Administration to cover overdue bills.