$5.6M in Road Repairs needed after Summer Rains

Officials with the South Carolina Department of Transportation report that record-setting rains this summer caused nearly $5.6 million in damage to 132 roads across the state.  The excessive amount of stormwater damaged 15 bridges and 52 pipes. Meanwhile, 91 roads experienced washouts, while seven roads remain closed for repairs. The extent of the damage forced SCDOT to deplete their emergency reserve fund of $2.2 million.  Officials say that the most expensive repair, replacing the partially collapsed Jones Mill Road in Pickens County, will likely be reimbursed with federal emergency relief funds, the remainder will have to come out of routine maintenance work. That likely means fewer sidewalk repairs and fewer cycles of mowing the grass along highways.  This summer was the wettest ever recorded in South Carolina, with the average rainfall recorded in June, July, and August over 26 inches.