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-- 777 are considered functionally obsolete, due to outdated designs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
