Last week we wrote another story recapping how overextension, incompetence and corruption at Gov. Nikki Haley’s Department of Transporation (SCDOT) had brought paving and maintenance work on South Carolina’s roadways to a standstill.
That’s right … while totally unnecessary interchanges are being constructed for totally unnecessary roads, this chronically mismanaged agency has stopped upgrades on its existing network of roads and bridges – which just so happens to be the fourth-largest system in the country (even though our state is fortieth in size).
Anyway, the latest evidence of this gross moronisitude adversely impacting motorists is SCDOT’s inability to do something as simple as cutting the grass on its roadways.
From WMBF TV (NBC – Florence/ Myrtle Beach, S.C.) …
The SC Dept. of Transportation is in charge of cutting the grass. WMBF News gave them a call and found out a lack of funding caused the SCDOT to cut down the number of times they mow grass.
Cutting the grass means SCDOT has to cut a big check – the current contract calls for $1.25 million.
And how many hundreds of millions of dollars do we spent on transportation funding each year?
Sheesh …
Tall grass is dangerous because it reduces visibility for motorists. Which means in addition to adversely impacting your wallet, our government’s mind-boggling inability to attend to this responsibility could wind up costing you something much more valuable than money.
But hey … South Carolina lawmakers “reformed” this agency a few years ago, right? Right?
Riiiiight.
Jeez. Cut the damn grass already, South Carolina.
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38 comments
Before I read another round of e-mails crying about how we don’t fund SCDOT adequately, or people actually bitching that our gas tax is low, is there any way you can find out Sic what the supposed total cost to maintain the whole deal is yearly right now?
Is there any unbiased source for that information anywhere?
Then, I’d like to know the average usage of gallons of fuel/year in state…or at least what the revenue collection a year from gas taxes alone is.
I think any discussion on the road network in state and our costs & taxes need to have this basic information in order to be productive.
Even if having the “4th largest network of roads” is an absurdity in and of itself.
I think if SCDoT wants to raise the gas tax, they should be presenting clear, concise, solid evidence that their costs necessitate the increased revenue. It should be in the form of a detailed report that includes everything they’re spending/saving money for or planning in the near future, and that is submitted not only to the legislature for review, but made available for the general public as well.
I think there is purposeful obfuscating, but the reality is that it’s a tin foil hat based belief…which may or may not be true.
I just get the feeling they don’t want to release the actual costs and compare them against the gas tax revenue…
They want to argue based on emotions and other bullshit.
Even further though, if they weren’t actually collecting the needed revenue the issue of having a absurd road network vs. actual needs is still an issue not easily addressed.
Before I read another round of e-mails crying about how we don’t fund SCDOT adequately, or people actually bitching that our gas tax is low, is there any way you can find out Sic what the supposed total cost to maintain the whole deal is yearly right now?
Is there any unbiased source for that information anywhere?
Then, I’d like to know the average usage of gallons of fuel/year in state…or at least what the revenue collection a year from gas taxes alone is.
I think any discussion on the road network in state and our costs & taxes need to have this basic information in order to be productive.
Even if having the “4th largest network of roads” is an absurdity in and of itself.
I think if SCDoT wants to raise the gas tax, they should be presenting clear, concise, solid evidence that their costs necessitate the increased revenue. It should be in the form of a detailed report that includes everything they’re spending/saving money for or planning in the near future, and that is submitted not only to the legislature for review, but made available for the general public as well.
I think there is purposeful obfuscating, but the reality is that it’s a tin foil hat based belief…which may or may not be true.
I just get the feeling they don’t want to release the actual costs and compare them against the gas tax revenue…
They want to argue based on emotions and other bullshit.
Even further though, if they weren’t actually collecting the needed revenue the issue of having a absurd road network vs. actual needs is still an issue not easily addressed.
They just repainted the Orangeburg exit from I-26 with those SCDOT rock structures. Glad they completed those. Talk about unnecessary! Anyone else notice that?
They just repainted the Orangeburg exit from I-26 with those SCDOT rock structures. Glad they completed those. Talk about unnecessary! Anyone else notice that?
We were thinking same thing on the way back and forth Friday through Sunday from Greenville to Columbia for the Regionals. WTF was up with all the tall grass on 26 from the Upstate to Columbia. In many stretches the grass obstructs the view of just how close the crossover prevention cables are. Maybe SC DOT is pushing as much of their resources into roads and bridges. Whatever it is, you can definitely tell a significant difference in maintenance of the highways in SC.
Also – talk about underfunded, we need far more Highway Patrolmen and State Transport police. I drove 79 for the most part back and forth and nut after but blew our doors off. Not to mention likely overloaded tractor trailer trucks flying up and down 26 in either lane. Infrastructure in SC is horrible and the fault mainly rests with the General Assembly. You do not see South Carolina like poor roadway conditions in NC, GA, VA, FL, TN, AL. Haley of course has been no help, probably moved the situation backwards but as this remains a Legislative State, the problem is in the House and Senate.
Soooooo…
It’s copacetic for you to break the law by driving 79mph…but folks driving faster than your scofflaw speed are “nuts”?
We were thinking same thing on the way back and forth Friday through Sunday from Greenville to Columbia for the Regionals. WTF was up with all the tall grass on 26 from the Upstate to Columbia. In many stretches the grass obstructs the view of just how close the crossover prevention cables are. Maybe SC DOT is pushing as much of their resources into roads and bridges. Whatever it is, you can definitely tell a significant difference in maintenance of the highways in SC.
Also – talk about underfunded, we need far more Highway Patrolmen and State Transport police. I drove 79 for the most part back and forth and nut after but blew our doors off. Not to mention likely overloaded tractor trailer trucks flying up and down 26 in either lane. Infrastructure in SC is horrible and the fault mainly rests with the General Assembly. You do not see South Carolina like poor roadway conditions in NC, GA, VA, FL, TN, AL. Haley of course has been no help, probably moved the situation backwards but as this remains a Legislative State, the problem is in the House and Senate.
Soooooo…
It’s copacetic for you to break the law by driving 79mph…but folks driving faster than your scofflaw speed are “nuts”?
Is grass-cutting a “core government function”? If so, can they come cut mine?
Is grass-cutting a “core government function”? If so, can they come cut mine?
You wanted smaller government and you got it…quit yer bitch’n
Sheriff,
I wanted smaller government, this is true.
Didn’t get it, though; in fact it grew.
I enjoyed watching you in “Walking Tall”
Just wish the grass was cut oftener, that’s all.
False Sir, the overall number of DOT employees is down v. 5 years ago. Same goes for every single other large agency in this state.
While lawmakers may have increased certain budget items for their pet projects, overall budgets are also smaller v. 5 years ago.
If you have doubts regarding the effects of such cuts please see the coverage of Nikki Haley and her DOR mess and remember the head IT security position was vacant for over 1 year under her leadership.
You wanted smaller government and you got it…quit yer bitch’n
Sheriff,
I wanted smaller government, this is true.
Didn’t get it, though; in fact it grew.
I enjoyed watching you in “Walking Tall”
Just wish the grass was cut oftener, that’s all.
False Sir, the overall number of DOT employees is down v. 5 years ago. Same goes for every single other large agency in this state.
While lawmakers may have increased certain budget items for their pet projects, overall budgets are also smaller v. 5 years ago.
If you have doubts regarding the effects of such cuts please see the coverage of Nikki Haley and her DOR mess and remember the head IT security position was vacant for over 1 year under her leadership.
Word down at the Git ‘n Go is that Senator Leatherpecker has just purchased a massive goat farm
As soon as DOT signs the multi-million dollar contract, the little sons of bitches will be set out to graze the roadways cleaner than Bobby Harrell’s ethical ass
When it was pointed out to Leatherpecker that his goats may end up as road kill he chuckled as he held up in his hand his DOT contract to pick up dead goats from the highways
The next “SC politician’s sex scandal” is gonna be a doozy!
Word down at the Git ‘n Go is that Senator Leatherpecker has just purchased a massive goat farm
As soon as DOT signs the multi-million dollar contract, the little sons of bitches will be set out to graze the roadways cleaner than Bobby Harrell’s ethical ass
When it was pointed out to Leatherpecker that his goats may end up as road kill he chuckled as he held up in his hand his DOT contract to pick up dead goats from the highways
The next “SC politician’s sex scandal” is gonna be a doozy!
Grass height isn’t a danger to me, I can see fine from the seat of my Suburban.
Exactly where is this grass that is a hazard to motorist Will? At intersections? Fine, put some “chain gangers” out there with a sling blade to knock it down. Mowing the interstates (DoT’s “Core Function”) is patently stupid.
You drive a gas guzzler and ought to pay a higher gasoline tax!
It is a disgrace to see grass as tall as it is on the side of the highway. SC has got some of the trashiest damn people that I have ever seen. Just drive through the suburbs and look at the lawn that haven’t been cut in three weeks. Pure damn trash.
Grass height isn’t a danger to me, I can see fine from the seat of my Suburban.
Exactly where is this grass that is a hazard to motorist Will? At intersections? Fine, put some “chain gangers” out there with a sling blade to knock it down. Mowing the interstates (DoT’s “Core Function”) is patently stupid.
You drive a gas guzzler and ought to pay a higher gasoline tax!
It is a disgrace to see grass as tall as it is on the side of the highway. SC has got some of the trashiest damn people that I have ever seen. Just drive through the suburbs and look at the lawn that haven’t been cut in three weeks. Pure damn trash.
Ride some of the state roads in the Low Country, say SC 41 between Jamestown and Wando, and you will see signs prohibiting the cutting of roadside grass certain times of the year.
This was one of Arthur Ravenel’s causes to prevent destruction of wildlife habitat. I can’t remember the specifics, but that’s how this non-cutting got started years ago.
Ride some of the state roads in the Low Country, say SC 41 between Jamestown and Wando, and you will see signs prohibiting the cutting of roadside grass certain times of the year.
This was one of Arthur Ravenel’s causes to prevent destruction of wildlife habitat. I can’t remember the specifics, but that’s how this non-cutting got started years ago.
I drove down 95 to Florida over the weekend and to say there is a noticeable difference between the condition of the roads and easements between South Carolina and Georgia or Florida is an understatement. One set of weight stations down around Walterboro had grass and weeds so high they actually looked like they were abandoned.
I drove down 95 to Florida over the weekend and to say there is a noticeable difference between the condition of the roads and easements between South Carolina and Georgia or Florida is an understatement. One set of weight stations down around Walterboro had grass and weeds so high they actually looked like they were abandoned.
Take a peek inside SCDOT headquarters on Park Street for 30 days and you will see lots of milk buckets.
Take a peek inside SCDOT headquarters on Park Street for 30 days and you will see lots of milk buckets.
So cutting the grass is a core function of government. Gotcha.
So cutting the grass is a core function of government. Gotcha.