The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the largest long-term investment in
our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. The need for action in
South Carolina is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for South Carolina. For
decades, infrastructure in South Carolina has suffered from a systemic lack of
investment. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave South Carolina
a D+ grade on its infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act will make life better for millions of South Carolina residents, create a
generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the
United States to win the 21st century.
To date, $2.3 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced
and is headed to South Carolina with over 93 specific projects identified for
funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, South Carolina will receive
approximately $2.1 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public
transit, ports and airports and roughly $89 million for clean water. And, as of today,
more than 312,000 households across the state are receiving affordable high-speed internet due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Many more projects will
be added in the coming months, as funding opportunities become grant awards
and as formula funds become specific projects. By reaching communities all
across South Carolina – including rural communities and historically underserved
populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for South
Carolinians and position the state for success.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make the following investments:
- Roads and Bridges. In South Carolina there are 1,702 bridges and over 7,292
miles of highway in poor condition. Over 10.2% of South Carolina’s bridges
are in poor condition and considered structurally deficient. Since 2011,
commute times have increased by 7.4% in South Carolina and on average,
each driver pays $625 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of
repair. South Carolina’s DOT estimates a $43 billion funding gap over the next
20 years.
- Based on formula funding alone, South Carolina would expect to receive $4.6 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $274 million for
bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act over five (5) years.
- South Carolina can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program
for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national
funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial
economic benefits to communities.
- Rail and Transit. South Carolina’s public transit systems serve a vital role in
connecting the state’s residents to jobs, health care, and other critical
services. Residents of South Carolina who take public transportation spend an
extra 53.8% of their time commuting. 19% of trains and other transit vehicles in
the state are past useful life.
- Based on formula funding alone, South Carolina would expect to receive $366 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. The IIJA invests $7.5 billion to build out the first-ever national network of EV chargers in the United States.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, South Carolina would expect to receive $70 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.
- South Carolina will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.
- Broadband. Broadband internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs,
to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected.
7.87% of South Carolinians live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark,
there is no broadband infrastructure. Even where infrastructure is available,
broadband may be too expensive to be within reach. Over 17% of South
Carolina households do not have an internet subscription.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, South Carolina will
receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband
coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least
405,000 South Carolinians who currently lack it. And, under the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 1,512,000 or 29% in South Carolina
will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help
low-income families afford internet access.
- Clean Water/Wastewater. The law contains nearly $44 billion to strengthen the
nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems, remove lead pipes and
service lines, and eliminate harmful contaminants through the EPA’s State
Revolving Funds programs. These programs, administered by the states, make
grants and loans eligible to communities for drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure investments. South Carolina reports a $6.1 billion drinking water
investment gap.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, South Carolina will expect to receive $510 million over five (5) years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
- Airports. South Carolina is home to eight (8) major airports that will benefit from the $25 billion in increased airport infrastructure funding provided over five (5) years from the IIJA.
- Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, airports in South Carolina would receive approximately $161 million for infrastructure development for airports over five (5) years.
- Ports and Inland Waterways. South Carolina is home to one (1) major water port and 480 miles of inland waterways that will benefit from $17 billion in new infrastructure funding over 5 years from the IIJA.
- Grid and Clean Energy Infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
through the Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure, is focused on
working across the public and private sectors to help the U.S. transition to the
clean energy economy. With more than $75 billion in investments through the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, South Carolina will benefit from multiple opportunities
focused on the rapid commercialization, demonstration, and deployment of
clean energy technologies. DOE is playing a critical role in efforts to rapidly
lower energy costs, slash carbon emissions, and create new industries with
the high-quality union jobs that are guaranteed to boost domestic
manufacturing capabilities while strengthening U.S. global competitiveness.
