South Carolina’s Infrastructure Shows Improvement Amid Challenges
South Carolina’s Infrastructure Report Card, issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), indicates an improvement from a D+ last year to a C- in 2026. This overall enhancement comes alongside significant federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and a state investment of $80 million in aviation. The state’s highway program also saw growth, increasing from $1 billion in 2009 to $6.2 billion in 2024.
Despite the overall progress, some infrastructure categories continue to face challenges. Drinking Water and Bridges, for instance, have seen declines since 2021 and remain in the D range. Statewide safety metrics show a decrease in traffic fatality rates, moving from 2.1 to 1.7 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. However, South Carolina still ranks among the top three states for traffic fatalities per 100,000 vehicle miles traveled.
Legislative actions are also contributing to infrastructure development. The South Carolina Department of Transportation Modernization Act (S.831), enacted in 2026, elevates transportation leadership to a cabinet-level position. This act aims to streamline environmental permitting, expand public-private partnership opportunities, and establish faster repair timelines, all intended to improve project delivery and encourage further investment.
Looking ahead, South Carolina’s population, currently around 5.6 million, is projected to exceed 6.2 million by 2035, which will increase demands on existing infrastructure systems. Additionally, by mid-century, 76 critical infrastructure assets are expected to experience regular tidal flooding. New initiatives, such as the South Carolina Office of Resilience and the state’s first Bus Rapid Transit project, are seen as positive steps toward addressing these future challenges.
