A by-the-numbers look at SC’s highway needs

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The state Department of Transportation estimates needing an additional $1.5 billion yearly over 20 years to bring roads to “good” condition. It’s responsible for maintaining:

— 41,444 highway miles: 851 interstate miles, 9,475 miles of federal and state highways, and 31,118 miles of secondary roads. Nearly 70 percent of secondary roads aren’t eligible for any federal funding.

— 8,383 bridges

— 9 welcome centers

— 19 rest areas

— mowing of 128,000 roadside acres

— 20 million feet of sidewalk

— 1,700 miles of guardrail

— 5,600 traffic signals and flashers

— 643,000 traffic signs

— 23 million feet of curbs and gutters

Of those nearly 8,400 bridges:

— 7 are closed

— 420 have weight restrictions for crossing

— 886 are rated in poor condition

— 777 are considered functionally obsolete, due to outdated designs

Of those nearly 41,500 highway miles:

— 53 percent of secondary roads rate in “poor” condition; 36 percent are “fair,” and 11 percent are “good”

— 47 percent of federal and state highways rate “poor;” 40 percent “fair,” and 13 percent “good”

— 8 percent of interstate miles are “poor,” 23 percent “fair,” and 69 percent “good”

Source: SC Department of Transportation