Norman calls for SCDOT audit in plan to fix roads, bridges

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — U.S. Representative Ralph Norman is laying out his plan to improve the state’s infrastructure, should he win the governor’s race this fall.

The Republican candidate says we have a crisis in South Carolina regarding our roads and bridges.

“You either have to dodge potholes, or you’re either in a ditch or hitting another car,” he says at a Statehouse press conference Tuesday morning.

Norman and other lawmakers believe leadership at the SC Department of Transportation is mostly to blame.

“When leaders think that moving commerce is more important than public safety, tax payers and drivers pay the price. Day after day, year after year,” says District 40 Rep. Joe White, adding, “South Carolina is ranked number one in the country in deaths and serious injuries on rural roads.”

“My constituents aren’t asking for the roads to be fixed, they’re demanding for the roads to be fixed,” says District 7 Rep. Lee Gilreath.

Should he win the governor’s race, Norman’s plan includes calling for a third party audit of SCDOT, selecting a Lieutenant Governor that would oversee the agency and make roads the number one priority. Norman would also give control of state roads in rural areas to their respective local governments.

“Our infrastructure is crushing businesses, dangerous for travelers and drivers, and will only get worse as time goes on,” he says.

Lawmakers are currently working on a bill that would reform SCDOT that would include transferring sole authority from the SCDOT Commission to the Transportation Secretary, and allow counties to control local roads.

However, that bill has yet to be finalized or introduced to the General Assembly.

Another meeting on that bill is scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd.

“If we’re serious about creating an environment for businesses and families to flourish, roads will have to stop being an afterthought, rather than a priority,” says Norman.

ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams reached out to SCDOT for comment, but has not yet gotten a response.