VOLUME XXVI NO. III SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WINTER 2016 Hurricane Matthew strikes South Carolina By Pete Poore

ctober in South Carolina typically brings easier Otimes as fall begins to creep into the weather bringing relief from hot, humid summer days. Football at every level is in full swing. The State Fair is enter- taining thousands of people from all around the Palmetto State. And hurricane season has moved past its “prime time” of September. But this year, Hurricane Mat- thew failed to read the calendar and set his sights on the south- eastern coast of the US in early October. The closer this deadly storm churned toward the eastern seaboard, the more Matthew be- gan to hone in on South Carolina. SCDOT had been watching the progress of Matthew all along. When the first Category 5 storm since 2007 appeared to take to take a path with such force that would include South Carolina, the SCDOT leadership decided to make use once again of SCDOT’s CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR “One Team” strategy. The Marion County town of Nichols was one of the hardest hit areas. Water flowing down from North Carolina after In 2015, Secretary Hall made Hurricane Matthew caused local rivers to overflow. The entire town of Nichols was flooded. the call for “all hands on deck” during the preparation stage as do in the face of Hurricane Mat- Those crews were preparing for about possible and likely emer- commodations and meals. a powerful storm front aimed at thew. Maintenance crews in the any damage in their own areas. gency contracts. The Maintenance The agency’s Customer Ser- South Carolina would inundate eastern half of the state began by In addition, crews were identified Office stood by to coordinate vice Center expanded its hours the state with three months of testing equipment, making sure that would go to eastern counties sending additional crews where to “around the clock” and volun- rain in three days. That deluge each county had signs indicat- to assist with damage there. needed as well as purchasing and teers stepped up to answer phones resulted in a record 1,000-year ing closings and detours ready to At SCDOT Headquarters, the providing materials for crews to and assist the public. Data Ser- flood that damaged or destroyed go, as well as barrels and cones Preconstruction damage assess- make repairs that were unknown vices teamed with ITs web staff 541 roads and bridges. At that for lane reversals and fueled their ment teams that worked so well but anticipated. The Maintenance to provide real-time information time, the “One Team” strategy re- equipment and vehicles. The in 2015 were identified and re- Office also prepared contracts for sulted in the repair of 92% of all crews themselves prepared to formed, assisted by Federal High- debris removal. The Procurement the damage by the end of 2015. work 12-hour shifts. way Administration staff. The Office prepared to track the crews In October of 2016, SCDOT Crews in the western half of Construction Office made pre- who came from other parts of the See MATTHEW next page workers of all types knew what to the state also started getting ready. liminary contact with contractors state to make sure they had ac- Briefs...... 15 New LEADership program ...... 20 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Deaths...... 15 SCDOT ranked #1...... 21 Hurricane Matthew ...... 1-12 Social Media responds to Hurricane...... 16-17 Mass Transit Roadeo...... 22 Promotions...... 13-14 SC Cares...... 18 District Pages...... 24-30 Retirements...... 15 Winter Storm Preparations...... 19 Centennial Celebration begins...... 31 2 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

the coast suffered mostly wind and surge MATTHEW damage. The northern part of the coast from page 1 also saw damage from strong winds, but floodwater drenched the Pee Dee and the such as real-time traffic flow, road clos- Grand Strand. To make matters worse, ings and other information the public floodwater from North Carolina drained could use on-line. The Communications down into our state’s river basins. Nearly Office kept up a steady stream of informa- a dozen state roads in the vicinity of the tion on social media. Waccamaw River were underwater for SCDOT staff located at the State Emer- weeks before the damage could be as- gency Management Headquarters just sessed. outside Columbia coordinated a whole The news was reminiscent of Octo- spectrum of transportation needs at Emer- ber 2015, except the coastal areas bore gency Support Function (ESF) 1 involv- the brunt of Matthew unlike the previous ing public transportation, evacuation of year’s flood which was centered in the residents without any means of travel and Midlands. But all counties in the eastern transportation assets of any kind. SCDOT half of the state had their share of flooding staff supported law enforcement at ESF and the Upstate had some spotty damage. 16 which coordinates traffic control, de- Hurricane Matthew left his mark by tours and evacuations. ESF 15, the pub- shutting down 481 roads and bridges be- lic information operation at SCEMD was fore leaving South Carolina. In addition, also supported by SCDOT staff. countless limbs and entire trees came SCDOT was as prepared as possible. down. I-95 in Jasper County had tem- The only thing to do on Friday night Oc- porary lane closures as drainage ditches tober 7 was wait, ride out the storm and filled up and flood water had no place else ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR hope for the best on Saturday morning. to go. Thousands lost power. The town of Deputy Secretary for Engineering Leland Colvin flies over highways and Flood and damage reports came in Nichols in Marion County was completely bridges damaged by Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 9, 2016. He was joined by early Saturday, and they’d continue to District Engineering Administrators Robert Clark and Kyle Berry to get first- come in for days, sometimes weeks after See MATTHEW next page hand views of damage to plan where to send resources for repairs. Matthew had gone. The southern part of South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission

Robert D. Robbins John N. Hardee Ben H. Davis Jr. Woodrow W. Willard Gene Branham Samuel B. Glover Mike Wooten Clifton Parker 1st Congressional 2nd Congressional 3rd Congressional 4th Congressional 5th Congressional 6th Congressional 7th Congressional Commissioner District District District District District District District At-Large

Winner of awards from S.C. Division, Public Relations Society of America; Carolinas Association of Business Communicators; S.C. Press Association and AASHTO.

Editor: Stan Shealy items may be reproduced with credit to The Connector 1270. All materials submitted become the property of Photography / Layout Editor: Rob Thompson or the source. News, photos and information to SCDOT unless their return is stipulated. The Connector appear in The Connector should be submitted to Stan is distributed free by mail to Editorial Board: Pete Poore, Bob Kudelka, Shealy, Office of Communications, S.C. Department of employees and to others upon Bonnie Cramer, Tasha Crumpton, Cody Crouch, Transportation, P.O. Box 191, Columbia, SC 29202, request. Zoe Cook, Kim Corley and Drew Stewart. no less than three weeks prior to date of publication. Christy Hall is the South Carolina Copy should include the name and phone number South Carolina Secretary of Press Association THE CONNECTOR is an employee newspaper of the of the source or person submitting the article. For Transportation. Associate Member South Carolina Department of Transportation. All news inquiries regarding news copy, telephone (803) 737- SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 3

MATTHEW from page 2 surrounded by floodwater and all roads leading to the town were closed. Matthew was determined to tax South Carolina’s and SC- DOT’s resources. Through it all as in 2015, SCDOT’s “One Team” was de- termined to recover the state’s highways and bridges as quickly as possible. Crews in the eastern half of the state began the emer- gency response immediately; closing roads that were under wa- ter, washed out or were blocked by trees and debris. The recovery began shortly thereafter as crews from the west- ern counties came to help with clearing, repairing washouts, re- CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR storing signals as soon as power was restored and replaced signs among other tasks. The assess- ment teams moved in to locate the damage and determine the magni- tude of the needed repairs. Head- quarters staff tracked the move- ments of the crews and equip- ment to make sure they had the manpower and materials needed to make repairs. This process was done around the clock as crews were working around the clock in 12-hour shifts. Inevitably, a number of SC- DOT workers living in coastal areas lost their homes or their homes were severely damaged or they lost everything, including homes and personal vehicles. De- spite those circumstances, those workers did not miss one shift, not one, while putting the SC- DOT mission ahead of their own PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR circumstances. The non-profit SC Cares- or SCDOT personnel on hand at the South Carolina Emergency ganization had still not finished Management Divison to prepare for the storm even before it hit. its work assisting SCDOT em- Here, Dick Jenkins, Chief Engineer for Operations Andy Leaphart ployees with their losses from and Deputy Secretary for Engineering Leland Colvin participate the 2015 flood. Hurricane -Mat in a conference call with Governor Nikki Haley and other state thew only served to ramp up the agencies. organization’s efforts to help this passed, the 481 roads and bridges ABOVE RIGHT: Tom Johnson is new group of SCDOT workers closed dropped to 300. One week SCDOT’s ESF1 which is the lead who were in need. In addition, a following Matthew, the number coordinator for SCDOT at EMD. number of Headquarters employ- stood at 153. By the end of Oc- ees stepped up to deliver meals to tober, only 44 facilities were still the coastal crews on five separate closed. One month after the Hur- RIGHT: Beth Andrews of the days at multiple locations on each ricane, only 35 roads and bridges Upstate Regional Production day. were on the “closed” list. By the Group coordinated with the SC SCDOT’s “One Team” kept Department of Education to get working. The numbers of closed buses to help evacuate people roads and bridges kept dropping. See MATTHEW next page from Charleston. In three days after the storm 4 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 Districts help each other battle Hurricane Matthew ‘One SCDOT’ is more than a motto lized and well taken care of by the By Bob Kudelka receiving counties while they were down there assisting, and I greatly appreciate that,” McCarter said. yle Berry saw it in action District 3 Engineering Ad- after Hurricane Matthew, ministrator Stephanie Jackson- when crews from through- Amell said her district sent sev- Kout the state arrived to hard-hit Dis- eral employees to the coast. She trict 5 immediately following the said Spartanburg sent a 7-person storm and provided assistance in crew to Beaufort for ditching and repairing damaged roads, bridges, slope repair and a 2-person crew and traffic signals. Extra sign crews to Georgetown for sign repair; also helped replace damaged signs Greenville sent a 2-person crew and install detours. to Georgetown for sign repair and “Their efforts, along with those two 2-person crews to Florence for of our staff in District 5, allowed sign repair; Pickens sent a 2-person us to reduce our road closures by crew to Dillon for sign repair; and almost 80 percent within 2 weeks Oconee sent a 2-person crew to of Hurricane Matthew passing Dillon for sign repair. through the area,” said Berry, Dis- District 2 Engineering Adminis- trict Engineering Administrator trator Kevin R. McLaughlin sent (DEA) for District 5. “The assis- 10 crews with RME Clifton White tance crews eagerly tackled all as- on Oct. 9, and they returned home signed projects, had good attitudes Oct. 15. They cleared roadways and worked with our units in a true in Jasper, Beaufort, Colleton and team effort. Dorchester counties, and some of “Our employees answer the call these crews were able to work on when faced with events such as roadway repairs the last few days this,” Berry said. “I could not be of their deployment. prouder of our employees for all of McLaughlin also sent two 2-per- their efforts.” son teams to District 6 for bridge Said John McCarter, District inspection on Oct. 9, and they re- 4 DEA, on sending 60 of his em- turned Oct. 15; two 2-person sign ployees to District 5: “I had in- crews on Oct. 11 to Horry County, structed our employees that while and they returned home Oct. 18; 2 they were down there, they were crews for roadway repairs to Beau- under the full direction of District fort County on Oct. 17, and they 5 and Kyle’s staff, and they should returned Oct. 21; two 2-person re- consider themselves as just another lief sign crews on Oct. 19, and they unit in District 5 during the time returned home Oct. 21. they were down there.” The help provided to District 6 District 4 sent two 2-person was greatly appreciated. crews for bridge inspection, two “It was huge,” said District 6 PHOTO BY DISTRICT 2 2-person crews for traffic signals, Maintenance Engineer Michael Crew members from Greenwood remove downed trees from S.C. 15 in Beaufort after eight 6- to 8-person backhoe crews Black. “They immediately began Hurricane Matthew. along with dump truck drivers to clearing the roads. The crews were haul stone and materials. Included really an inspiration in how hard were three resident maintenance they worked - it kept our guys go- dam failures, or major road or bridge washouts, or engineers, one assistant resident ing.” collapses that are under contract, but will require maintenance engineer and one as- Black said once the initial work MATTHEW more time to rebuild. sistant district maintenance engi- was done, District 2 crews helped from page 3 In both October of 2015 and 2016, SCDOT and neer to help coordinate the efforts, with special projects. the state of South Carolina faced major emergen- McCarter said. “It allowed our people to go cies that affected the entire state. The second came McCarter also sent a crew to back to somewhat of a normal shift early days of December, only 21 roads and four while the state was still recovering from the flood Charleston to assist with signs for a after just two weeks,” Black said. bridges were out of service. That number represents of 2015. As in 2015, SCDOT employees did not few days as well as SHEP respond- Berry said: “The ‘One SCDOT’ a 94.8% re-opening of the hurricane closures on the blink when Hurricane Matthew came along. There ers to assist with the I-26 lane re- motto is evident on a daily basis state highway system. A few more facilities are ex- was no time. SCDOT’s “One Team” had a monu- versal from Charleston to Colum- by our employees and is especially pected to re-open before the end of 2016. mental job to do, and all hands were on deck to bia. displayed during events such as The remaining closures are either the result of accomplish it. “Our employees were fully uti- Hurricane Matthew.” SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 5 By Kim Corley

orchester Main- ‘Furr-icane’ Matthew tenance crews Rescuing kitten makes one feline warm, fuzzy inside knew they would Dbe helping save lives dur- ing Hurricane Matthew, they just didn’t know it would be the four-legged kind. On the morning of Oct. 5, 2016 crews began reversing lanes to allow residents to comply with Gov. Nikki Haley’s call for all coastal residents to evacuate in preparation for Hurricane Matthew. Dorchester Resident Maintenance Engineer David Pilch was at the staging area at the I-26 East and U.S. 15 inter- change. He heard faint noises that morning but never gave it much thought “Mattie” the kitten has been adopted and until he heard the same posed for an updated photograph. The photo noise again when they and story of her being rescued was popular on began switching traffic SCDOT’s Facebook page. over around 4:00 p.m. He walked over to fencing along the inter- state. Much to his sur- prise, there was a tiny kitten Matthew stayed at the Dorchester Mainte- hidden in the pine straw. nance Office while crews were on a 24 hour “I knew it wouldn’t have made it. We schedule due to the hurricane. Someone was hadn’t seen a cat nearby and there were no always on call for babysitting and feedings. homes on the frontage road,” he said. After the hurricane, they all knew they He called the office and Melissa Poole would have to find a more suitable home. Dorchester Resident Maintenance Engineer David Pilch found an and Aimee Spires knew exactly what to do. Luckily, Matthew was able to stay in the abandoned kitten while working Hurricane Matthew duty. He and his crew They went to the local pet store for supplies. SCDOT family. Jennifer Hilton’s mother were able to nurse the kitten and find a home for her. Of course they named their new compan- decided to adopt her and changed her name ion Matthew CAT 1. to Mattie. SCDOT GIS office keeps evacuation routes updated

By Pete Poore maps provided road closure infor- mation and the status of evacua- tion routes. The latter was featured esidents and visitors on the on network television. coast who were evacuating The online maps began with Rfrom the path of Hurricane updates every two hours. Howev- Matthew in our state were able to er, about a week into the Hurricane keep up with the latest evacuation event, the GIS staff found a way routes and road closings thanks to to present the information in real SCDOT’s GIS Office. time. The evacuation route map Road Data Services Engineer was featured on ABC’s “Good Todd Anderson reported that the Morning America.” GIS staff developed many online The online evacuation and road and traditional paper maps during closure maps had over 140,000 Hurricane Matthew. Two online hits once the storm had passed. 6 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 Practice, more practice led up to historic I-26 lane reversal By Bob Kudelka

eventeen years of planning and drills were put into action when the state of SSouth Carolina reversed travel lanes on a 100-mile stretch of eastbound Interstate 26 from Charleston to Columbia on Oct. 5, 2016. From a traffic engineering standpoint, a lane reversal is about as challenging as it gets. Imagine telling motorists it’s OK to drive the opposite way down a one-way street. Now try doing that for 100 miles at highway speeds with the stress of a mammoth hurri- cane taking aim at the Palmetto State. “It’s a big operation,” said SCDOT’s Traffic Management Engineer Dick Jen- kins, an original developer of the reversal. The massive plan took coordination of 1,200 to 1,400 employees from several agencies including SCDOT, S.C. Depart- ment of Public Safety, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), S.C. Pardon and Parole Services, local law enforcement agencies, firefighters and emergency medi- cal responders. Aircraft from SLED, SCDNR and Civil Air Patrol were watching from above. “If they see anything that’s not right, they can PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR report it to us and it’s taken care of immedi- ately,” Jenkins said. Harriet Caldwell-Moore, Lynn Scholl and John Chapman of SCDOT’s Lexington Maintenance unit look at lane On the ground, DOT employees with reversal plans at I-26 and I-77 on Oct. 5, 2016. They coordinated with the Highway Patrol to deploy barrels and thousands of traffic cones, barrels and barri- cones when given the orders to do so for the lane reversal for evacuations before Hurricane Matthew. cades had to close or modify 22 interchang- the wrong way,” Jenkins said. done at each of the other 21 interchanges. es to make sure motorists headed the right For instance, at the I-95 interchange, the Fire department and ambulance crews way. set-up included 184 traffic cones, 25 barrels, were staged at key interchanges along I-26 “As an example, you’re blocking ramps seven DOT employees and 12 law enforce- that otherwise people could get on and go ment officers. Similar coordination was See REVERSAL next page

Lexington Maintenance crews put up barricades across I-26 where the traffic is being reversed. Troopers discuss the lane reversal and flushing operation where they will drive John Chapman adjusts the placement of cones at the crossover down I-26 East as the last Rodney Livingston of SCDOT’s where traffic traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-26 vehicles before the traffic is Lexington Maintenance unit marks will cross over the median to rejoin normal westbound traffic at reversed. the spacing for cones to be placed the end of the lane reversal section near I-77. as part of the lane reversal. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 7

REVERSAL from page 6 in case of emergencies. SCDOT SHEP crews from Rock Hill and Greenville assisted SHEP crews from Columbia and Charleston along I-26 to help traffic go smoothly in the event of broken down vehicles. For even bigger problems, the National Guard had a vehicle removal team capable of moving a tractor trailer or RV out of the way. The lane reversal operation began with a “flushing” of eastbound traffic in Columbia at I-26 and I-77. First, District 1 set up barricades and to- gether with the Highway Patrol traffic was blocked from I-26 eastbound at I-77. Mo- PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR torists had to exit at U.S. 321 or I-77 north- Lexington Maintenance crews put out the cones right as the last cars are stopped from traveling down I-26 East. bound. The flush cars, two Highway Patrol cars side by side with lights flashing and sirens on, began heading toward Charleston on the eastbound lanes. If they encountered any motorists on the highway or at rest areas, they were escorted off the interstate at the nearest interchange. As they made their way east, the SCHP Trooper stationed at each interchange radi- oed “no car present” as the flush cars cleared each interchange. SCDOT employees stood by to immediately block off ramps with traf- fic control devices. A State Trooper and a DOT crew super- visor were stationed at each interchange on Two troopers wait for the go-ahead and then travel down I-26 East to “flush” the interstate as the last vehicles I-26 to report to Jenkins and SCDPS back traveling east before the traffic is reversed. at a command center in Columbia. “They stand side by side,” Jenkins said. “They do things right in coordination. Everybody confirms that they’re doing the same thing they’re told to do in sequence.” The two Highway Patrol flush cars made their way to Charleston, leaving behind an eastbound interstate highway devoid of traf- fic. Then came the moment of truth - the lane reversal equivalent of lift-off for a space mission. All clear signals were given at up and down the 100-miles of I-26. Then, two Highway Patrol cars led the Once the troopers flush the entire route and all exit and entrance ramps are closed, traffic flows west on the first motorists heading westbound -to Co reversed lanes. Above, the cars traveling in the reversed lanes cross back over at the crossover at I-26 and I-77. lumbia on the now barren eastbound lanes. “It’s a real good way to distribute that former Assistant State Traffic Management commended Governor Nikki Haley for or- They lead evacuees from major interchang- traffic,” he said. Engineer and now Midlands RPG Program dering the evacuation at the right time, po- es beginning at I-526, U.S. 78, College Park The results of the lane reversal were as Manager. tentially saving lives by advising people to and Ashley Phosphate. good as Jenkins could anticipate. Mattox said the reduced demand on the leave harm’s way in time to evacuate safely. “They pace them back to Columbia,” The average westbound volume is about normal westbound side of I-26 increased “If you ever get into a situation where Jenkins said, “so they don’t run 100 mph.” 26,000 vehicles on a typical October day. It the average speed from 35 mph during the you’re behind the eight ball in traffic man- The traffic on the eastbound reversed spiked to 42,000 during the evacuation. As evacuation prior to the reversal to about 70 agement, recovery is very difficult,” Jenkins lanes moved to the westbound I-26 at the many as 3,300 vehicles were heading west mph during the reversal. said. “You’ve got to start initially to move heavily barricaded and patrolled crossover on I-26 per hour; compared to 2,600 per “It wasn’t much different from a typi- this traffic; that’s why we are proactive.” at I-77 in Columbia. Regular westbound hour before the reversal. cal Sunday afternoon coming back from The origins of the lane reversal plan traffic was directed northbound to I-77 to “Not only did the reversal increase capac- Charleston,” Jenkins said. “That’s about as I-20 and then I-26 westbound toward Spar- ity, but greatly reduced travel times on both good as you’re going to get.” See REVERSAL next page tanburg if desired. sides of the interstate,” said Berry Mattox, Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall 8 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

REVERSAL from page 7 The Cost of Hurricane Matthew came in 1999 when Hurricane Floyd presented such a large threat that parts Storm repairs cost SCDOT, State and Federal Governments $100 Million of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina all evacuated, resulting in extraordi- By Pete Poore costs of Hurricane Matthew and the sourc- million. SCDOT will be participating in nary traffic on I-95 and I-26. es of funding SCDOT was pursuing to the two Federal programs; the FHWA Emer- Commission at its meeting in Columbia on gency Relief Program and the Federal “Everybody coming up I-95 wanted idespread damage does not Dec.1. Emergency Management Administration to make a left turn and go to Columbia come without a hefty price tag. As of Dec. 1, the estimated cost of Hur- (FEMA). The third source of funds is the and beyond,” Jenkins said, adding that Secretary Hall reported the traffic from Charleston to Columbia W ricane Matthew’s damage stood at $100 state itself. took more than 10 hours. “Nobody lost their life in that event but it was awfully inconvenient,” Jen- kins said. In 1999, DPS and DOT were charged with putting together a plan re- figuring all evacuation routes, includ- ing creating lane reversals. Jenkins and then-Capt. Harry Stub- blefield of DPS met with counties and law enforcement agencies within 100 miles of the coast to introduce new evacuation plans. “We’d go route by route, and illus- trate how all the traffic control devices would be put up,” Jenkins said. Out of the plans emerged lane rever- sals for not only I-26, but U.S. 501 from Myrtle Beach; U.S. 21 from Beaufort; and U.S. 278 from Hilton Head. Hurricane drills began each year, followed by meetings to review per- formance and address any concerns. The governor holds annual table top exercises each year with all agencies involved in hurricane response, Jen- kins said, and evacuation procedures are practiced. The governor, SCHP Capt. Rob Woods and Jenkins also visit major coastal areas to assure prepared- ness. With Hurricane Matthew marking the first time lanes were reversed on I-26, Jenkins said it worked even better than the annual drills. “We had good communications and everything went just like it should,” he said. “I commend our Districts. They work very hard to be prepared because they have turnover in personnel. That’s why we practice each year.” Looking ahead to the future, Jenkins said the increasing population along the coast will continue to make large- scale evacuations a challenge – but by no means impossible. “We don’t want to rest on our lau- rels, but as long as we keep practic- ing, planning and make improvements when we can, I think we’re going to be in the best position possible to move citizens out of harm’s way,” Jenkins The chart shows the cost and sources of funding broken down by category, including the federal share and the said. state’s share in each. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 9 SCDOT employees man call center, assist motorists with road condition updates

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR

In addition to the regular call center staff, SCDOT employees added the extra duties of answering questions from South Carolina residents about opened and closed routes during Hurricane Matthew. The staff also answered questions from motorists traveling through the state. During the height of the storm and for a period afterwards, the center was open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 10 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 Scenes from Hurricane Matthew

A marina full of boats was damaged when piers broke away from its supports. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR Damage and flooding after Hurricane Matthew in District 5 on Oct. 9, 2016, west of Myrtle Beach.

One house was totally destroyed by Hurricane Matthew on Edisto Island. The view of Edisto Island on Oct. 9, 2016, after Hurricane Matthew shows flooded highways and damage to roofs and trees.

Vehicles make waves as they drive through a flooded section of Main Road on John’s Island near U.S. 17 on Oct. 9, 2016. SCDOT crews make repairs to a washout on the Harbor Island Bridge on Oct. 9, 2016. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 11

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR The flooded town of Nichols in Marion County on Oct. 13, 2016.

Flooding on S.C. 9, northwest of Loris, in Horry County on Oct. 13, 2016.

Flooding along U.S. 76 heading into Nichols in Marion Flooded houses along the overflowing Lumber River in Marion County on Oct. 13, 2016. County on Oct. 13, 2016.

S.C. 9 traffic flows in both directions on eastbound lanes due to flooding on westbound lanes south of Longs in Horry County on Oct. 16, 2016. 12 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

Debris Removal

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR Crews from Dillon, Florence and Darlington remove debris in hard hit areas of District 5 after Hurricane Matthew. District 5 Road Damage

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR After the Hurricane Matthew floods recede, road washouts are exposed and SCDOT crews get to work making repairs. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 13 Karl M. McCottry named Will McConnell is Work Zone Traffic Human Resources Director Control Engineer arl M. McCottry of Irmo will as- sume the position of SCDOT’s Di- ill McConnell has accepted rector of Human Resources effec- the position of Work Zone tiveK Dec. 17, 2016. He will succeed Mary WTraffic Control Engineer in Gail Monts Chamblee, who retired on Dec. Traffic Engineering. He is a 1997 grad- 16. uate of the University of South Caro- McCottry has served as Assistant Direc- lina with a bachelor’s degree in Civil tor of Human Resources for the past four Engineering. years and has more than 18 years of experi- McConnell has worked in the Work ence in the Human Resource arena. He also Zone Traffic Control section since his has both public and private sector experi- hiring in December 1997. Since then he ence including not only Human Resource has increased his responsibilities and Management, but also experience in Facili- for the last 10 years has run the daily ties Management and Customer Service De- operations of traffic control plan pro- livery. duction. McCottry’s background demonstrates his McConnell is a registered Profes- Will McConnell drive for service and commitment to deliv- sional Engineer. ering results. He is a native of Kingstree, and is also a graduate of Morgan State University with Joey Lucas is Work a Bachelor of Science in Business Admin- istration. He is married to Elisha with two children, son Maurice and daughter Trezure. Zone Traffic Control He has also graduated from many of our premiere leadership development programs Karl M. McCottry Engineer Assistant for state government: the Governor’s EX- trol Board’s Leadership Program. oey Lucas has accepted the position CEL Program, Certified Public Manager, McCottry is a member of I.D. Newman of Assistant Work Zone Traffic Con- Executive Institute and the Budget and Con- United Methodist Church. Jtrol Engineer. Lucas is a 2008 graduate of the Univer- sity of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He began his career with SCDOT in 2006 as an intern in Keith L. Frick is Preconstruction Support. Following grad- uation, he was hired into the Work Zone Traffic Control section. He also worked in Maintenance the Traffic Signal Design section before his promotion to the Design Review sec- Program tion in 2014. Lucas is a registered Professional Engi- neer and is a certified Professional Traffic Manager Joey Lucas Operations Engineer. eith Frick of Little Mountain has been selected to fill the program Kmanager position in the Mainte- nance Office. Frick has more than 30 years of experience in construction layout and in- spection, project development at the district and headquarters level, and was very instru- mental in pulling together numerous reports regarding pavement improvement needs during the recent LAC audit. Frick is married to Lisa Shealy Frick from Memphis, TN, and they have a daugh- ter Taylor Michelle Frick who recently grad- uated from Clemson University. Their son, Cory Justin Frick, passed away in 2014 at the age of 22. Keith L. Frick Frick is a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran THANKS! Church where he serves as Chairman of the In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fish- Social Ministry Committee and Cemetery ing, cooking, wood working and Gamecock SCDOT, FHWA and Highway Patrol staff were recognized for their work Commitee. sports. during Hurricane Matthew at the Dec. 1 SCDOT Commission meeting. 14 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 PROMOTIONS William Austin, promoted to trades specialist IV at Cherokee wood Maintenance on Nov. 2. District 7 Bridge Inspection on to senior geodetic technician at trades specialist III at District 6 Maintenance on Aug. 17. Patrick Hallback, promoted to Aug. 2. Charleston Maintenance on Sept. Bridge Inspection on Oct. 17. Michael Costello, promoted to mechanic III at Greenwood Main- Charlie Miller, promoted to 17. Sterling Baldwin, promoted to trades specialist III at Charleston tenance on Nov. 2. trades specialist III at District 5 Tiffany Sims, promoted to asso- engineer/associate engineer II at Maintenance on Aug. 2. Daniel Halsted, promoted to Maintenance Contracts on Aug. 2. ciate geodetic technician at Oconee Greenville Construction on Oct. Christie Crain, promoted to engineer/associate engineer III in Terry Moore, promoted to ex- Maintenance on Nov. 2. 17. administrative assistant at Green- Traffic Engineering on Nov. 2. ecutive assistant I in the Office of Thomas Singer, promoted to Lorenzo Banks, promoted to ville Maintenance on Oct. 17. Jimmy Harris, promoted to the Deputy Secretary for Engineer- assistant geodetic technician at trades specialist III at Charleston Pamela Daniels, promoted to trades specialist III at Oconee ing on Oct. 2. District 6 Bridge Inspection on Maintenance on Oct. 2. trades specialist III at Berkeley Maintenance on Aug. 17. Richard Munday, promoted Sept. 2. William Baylock, promoted Maintenance on Oct. 17. Jarvis Harris, promoted to to trades specialist III at Berkeley Christopher Singleton, pro- to trades specialist III at Berkeley Troy Davis, promoted to supply trades specialist III at Lexington Maintenance on Nov. 17. moted to senior geodetic technician Maintenance on Sept. 17. specialist III at Supply Depot on Maintenance on Sept. 2. Alex Nelson, promoted to as- at Horry Construction on Sept. 17. James Beach, promoted to en- Oct. 2. Elizabeth Hawkins, promoted sociate geodetic technician at Ker- David Smalls, promoted to gineer/associate engineer III at Daniel Davis, promoted to to engineer/associate engineer III shaw Maintenance on Aug. 17. trades specialist III at Jasper Main- Laurens Maintenance on Oct. 17. assistant geodetic technician at in RPG 3 – Midlands on Oct. 2. Minhkhai Nguyen, promoted tenance on Sept. 17. Michael Beam, promoted to Greenwood Construction on Oct. 2. Whitney Hayes, promoted to engineer/associate engineer III Andrew Stanley, promoted to trades specialist III at Chester Barbara Dean, promoted to to trades specialist III at Oconee in Traffic Engineering on Nov. 17. mechanic II at Colleton Mainte- Maintenance on Aug. 2. engineer/associate engineer I at Maintenance on Aug. 17. Lyle Nyberg, promoted to se- nance on Aug. 17. John Branham, promoted to Oconee Maintenance on Nov. 2. Matthew Hayes, promoted to nior geodetic technician at York Marion Summers, promoted to trades specialist IV at York Main- Danny Diaz, promoted to trades engineer/associate engineer II at Construction on Sept. 17. trades specialist V at Orangeburg tenance on Sept. 14. specialist IV at Charleston Mainte- Laurens Maintenance on Aug. 2. John Odom, promoted to trades Maintenance on Sept. 17. Rebecca Breland, promoted to nance on Aug. 2. Levern Hickson Jr., promoted specialist III at Aiken Maintenance Jennita Sumter, promoted to engineer/associate engineer IV in Janice Dixon, promoted to pro- to trades specialist III at Lee Main- on Oct. 2. engineer/associate engineer II in RPG 2 – Pee Dee on Oct. 2. gram coordinator II in the Office tenance on Sept. 2. Donna Osborne, promoted to RPG 3 – Midlands on Sept. 17. Benjamin Brill, promoted to of the Director of Maintenance on Peter Hodges, promoted to osha officer III at District 3 Office David Suratt, promoted to as- engineer/associate engineer II in Sept. 17. trades specialist III at Beaufort on Sept. 2. sistant geodetic technician at Ab- RPG 3 – Midlands on Nov. 17. Donald Dotson, promoted to Maintenance on Aug. 17. Angela Page, promoted to pro- beville Construction on Nov. 2. Robert Bryant, promoted to engineer/associate engineer II at William Houghtaling, promot- gram coordinator II in Business Philip Unrue, promoted to osha trades specialist IV at Colleton Anderson Construction on Nov. 2. ed to trades specialist IV at Dar- Development and Special Pro- officer II at Edgefield Maintenance Maintenance on Nov. 17. Julie Douglas, promoted to lington Maintenance on Oct. 2. grams on Aug. 17. on Nov. 2. Jeremy Bryson, promoted to chief geodetic technician at Flor- Brandon Hufnagel, promoted Benjamin Peterson, promoted Kenneth Waldrep, promoted trades specialist IV at Dillon Main- ence Construction on Sept. 17. to right of way agent II at Rights of to trades specialist III at Aiken to associate geodetic technician at tenance on Aug. 17. Reginald Dozier, promoted to Way – Florence on Nov. 2. Maintenance on Nov. 2. Greenwood Maintenance on Nov. Tierra Burch, promoted to engineer/associate engineer II at Adam Humphries, promoted James Priester, promoted to 2. trades specialist III at Aiken Main- Bamberg Construction on Sept. 2. to engineer/associate engineer IV trades specialist III at Colleton Christopher Ward, promoted tenance on Aug. 17. Danny Drain, promoted to in RPG 3 – Midlands on Nov. 17. Maintenance on Nov. 17. to trades specialist IV at Richland Craig Calhoun, promoted to trades specialist IV at District 6 Lacy Jefferson, promoted to Dale Proctor, promoted to Maintenance on Oct. 17. trades specialist IV at Charleston Bridge Inspection on Aug. 2. trades specialist III at Jasper Main- trades specialist III at Edgefield Herman Washington, promot- Maintenance on Sept. 17. Mark Duncan, promoted to tenance on Sept. 17. Maintenance on Oct. 2. ed to trades specialist III at District Juanita Campbell, promoted trades specialist IV at Georgetown Terrell Johnson, promoted to Chadwick Rawls, promoted to 6 Bridge Inspection on Oct. 2. to administrative coordinator II in Maintenance on Sept. 17. trades specialist IV at McCormick engineer/associate engineer III in Jonathon Webber, promoted Business Development and Special Ronnice Ferrell, promoted to Maintenance on Oct. 2. Road Data Services on Nov. 17. to engineering/geodetic technician Programs on Oct. 17. procurement specialist II at District Matthew Kelly, promoted to Jasper Raymond, promoted III at Spartanburg Construction on Christopher Cannon, promot- 4 Office on Nov. 2. engineer/associate engineer III at to trades specialist III at Hampton Aug. 2. ed to senior geodetic technician at Shawn Flood, promoted to District 1 Office on Sept. 2. Maintenance on Sept. 17. Dennis West, promoted to osha Marion Construction on Sept. 17. trades specialist III at Richland Kwyna Laymon, promoted to Tony Riddle, promoted to officer II at Kershaw Maintenance Rufus Cave, promoted to trades Maintenance on Sept. 2. trades specialist III at Union Main- trades specialist III at Greenville on Oct. 2. specialist III at Hampton Mainte- Steven Frazier, promoted to tenance on Sept. 17. Maintenance on Oct. 2. Craig Winn, promoted to engi- nance on Sept. 2. trades specialist III at Hampton Angelo Mabry, promoted to Alfred Rouse, promoted to neer/associate engineer IV in RPG Raymond Cheek, promoted to Maintenance on Nov. 2. trades specialist III at Williams- trades specialist IV at Berkeley 1 – Lowcountry on Oct. 2. engineer/associate engineer III at Keith Frick, promoted to engi- burg Maintenance on Oct. 2. Maintenance on Aug. 17. Jason Wolfman, promoted to District 4 Office on Aug. 2. neer/associate engineer IV in the Todd Mattox, promoted to en- Joshua Rowe, promoted to chief geodetic technician at District James Cheeks, promoted to Office of the Director of Mainte- gineer/associate engineer IV in engineer/associate engineer II at 1 Office on Aug. 17. trades specialist III at Laurens nance on Sept. 2. RPG 3 – Midlands on Oct. 2. Greenville Maintenance on Oct. 2. Shaquaisha Woods, promoted Maintenance on Sept. 2. Jamie Gambrell, promoted to Kim McCray, promoted to Michael Rowlen Jr., promoted to engineer/associate engineer I at Edward Childers, promoted to engineer/associate engineer III at right of way agent I at Rights of to trades specialist III at Marlboro Dorchester Construction on Sept. chief geodetic technician at Green- Oconee Maintenance on Sept. 17. Way – Central on Sept. 17. Maintenance on Oct. 2. 2. ville Construction on Nov. 2. Jeffery Giles, promoted to Carl Meetze, promoted to Toya Scipio, promoted to engi- Lorenzo Worthy, promoted to Gary Clay, promoted to trades trades specialist V at Greenville trades manager at Equipment Ser- neer/associate engineer III in Traf- engineer/associate engineer IV in specialist IV at District 6 Bridge Maintenance on Nov. 2. vice Depot on Aug. 17. fic Engineering on Nov. 2. RPG 1 – Lowcountry on Oct. 2. Inspection on Oct. 17. Richard Green, promoted to Joe Mikels, promoted to senior Benjamin Shirley, promoted Randall Young, promoted to Aaron Coker, promoted to trades specialist III at McCormick geodetic technician at Spartanburg to trades specialist IV at District 4 Chief Engineer for Project Deliv- trades specialist III at Cherokee Maintenance on Oct. 2. Construction on Sept. 17. Pavement Repair and Preservation ery in the Office of the Deputy Sec- Maintenance on Oct. 2. William Gunter III, promoted Rhett Milhouse, promoted to on Aug. 17. retary for Engineering on Aug. 17. Bobby Collins, promoted to to trades specialist III at Green- assistant geodetic technician at Stephen Simpson, promoted SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 15

BRIEFS Group honored for lane reversal success Mary Gail Monts Chamblee retires

ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall thanks the ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR team behind the successful Hurricane Matthew lane reversal after Mary Gail Monts Chamblee, second right, was recognized for her years of service they were honored by the SCDOT Commission. From left, Tom to SCDOT at the Dec. 1 SCDOT Commission meeting. From left, are: Secretary Johnson, Dick Jenkins, Christy Hall and Captain Robert Woods of Transportation Christy Hall, Cary Chamblee, Mary Gail Monts Chamblee and with the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Captain Woods and SCDOT Commission Chairman Mike Wooten. She retired from SCDOT on Dec. 16, Jenkins were the ‘brains’ behind the operation. 2016. RETIREMENTS DEATHS Leroy Anderson retired from Sa- vation on Sept. 1. Leon Rivers retired from Beaufort John Branham, trades specialist IV with York luda Maintenance on Aug. 31. Curtis Hooks retired from Rich- Maintenance on Sept. 16. Maintenance, died Sept. 16. Linder Belton retired from Fair- land Construction on Sept. 30. Charles Rosier retired from Sa- Ervin Meece, trades specialist V with Laurens field Maintenance on Oct. 12. Barry Hughes retired from Holly luda Maintenance on Aug. 31. Maintenance, died Oct. 28. Alexander Bethea retired from Hill Maintenance on Aug. 1. Linda Rowland retired from Billy Powers, trades specialist II with Dillon District 5 Bridge Inspection on Sept. Bobby Johnson retired from Spar- Richland Construction on Nov. 16. Maintenance, died Nov. 1. 9. tanburg Maintenance on Sept. 12. Abraham Salters retired from Charles Shirley former SCDOT employee in Carl Brown retired from District Janet Loftis retired from Lexing- Williamsburg Maintenance on Aug. traffic engineering, died Sept. 20. 5 Maintenance Contracts on Aug. 31. ton Maintenance on Oct. 31. 1. Remarque A. Young, Andrew Brown retired from Cal- Arthur McCoy retired from York James Scarborough retired from 52, of Columbia, Data houn Maintenance on Oct. 31. Maintenance on Aug. 24. Lee Maintenance on Sept. 30. Analytics and Investiga- Pamela Bussey retired from Mc- Polly McCutcheon retired from Matthew Schulte retired from tions Manager with the Cormick Maintenance on Oct. 10. Human Resources on Sept. 30. Florence Construction on Sept. 15. State Auditor’s Office at Silas Craven retired from Colle- Alton Miles retired from Wil- Calvin Spann retired from Lau- SCDOT, died Dec. 15. ton Maintenance on Sept. 17. liamsburg Maintenance on Nov. 16. rens Maintenance on Oct. 11. Young joined the staff of Frank Easterlin retired from Or- William Mixson retired from Ker- Jeffrey Spires retired from Lex- the Office of the Chief In- angeburg Maintenance on Sept. 11. shaw Maintenance on Aug. 26. ington Maintenance on Nov. 2. ternal Auditor at SCDOT Curtis Fleming retired from Susan Morris retired from Dis- Willie Thompkins retired from in 2013. He earned his Greenville Construction on Sept. 2. trict 4 Office on Aug. 31. Marion Maintenance on Aug. 31. Certified Fraud Examiner Barrie Frierson retired from Flor- Dipak Patel retired from Planning Roger Turner retired from Lex- while at SCDOT and was ence Rights of Way on Sept. 11. on Oct. 3. ington Surveys on Sept. 30. recently promoted to his James Gregory retired from Dis- Jafar Rajabi retired from Charles- John Wood retired from SHEP Remarque Young current position. trict 4 Pavement Repair and Preser- ton Bridge Construction on Aug. 31. Columbia on Sept. 30. 16 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 17 By phone, by post, by tweet: Call Center, Social Media, Web site help keep public informed during Matthew By Bob Kudelka TWITTER: @scdotpress l FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/SCDOT y phone, social media and the agency Web site, SCDOT com- Bmunicated with the public to provide information before, during and after Hurricane Matthew. The SCDOT Customer Service Center, which expanded to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, received more than 26,000 storm-related calls, said Michele Paoleschi, Special Assistant CALL CENTER: 855-GO-SCDOT (855-467-2368) for Engineering Operations. “IT Services opened two overflow call centers in the basement, which al- lowed us to bring in an additional 30 people answering phones,” Paoleschi

said. “We had over 140 volunteers who worked the phones, along with regular call center staff. Without the WEB SITE: www.scdot.org additional phone equipment and vol- unteers, SCDOT would not have been able to accommodate the volume of calls we received.” Employees said that many call- ers were pleasantly surprised to get a friendly voice when calling the toll- free number. Paoleschi said: “Many callers stated they used our services multiple times, and were very appreciative of and urged everyone to stay off the RME David Pilch’s rescue of a lost lina Hurricane Guide and several state what SCDOT was doing. Many of the roads. “This single Tweet received kitten during the storm reached more and federal agencies including S.C. staff taking calls stated how gratify- 143,000 views,” Poore said. than 25,000 and spawned a lengthy Emergency Management Division and ing it was to know they had helped to safety.” SCDOT’s Twitter messaging re- comment thread. “I believe a couple the Federal Emergency Management provide such a needed service, and to SCDOT social media platforms, ceived approximately 2 million views of marriage proposals are included in Agency (FEMA). Twitter and Facebook, played a big during the first three weeks in October. those comments,” Poore said. During the period Oct. 3 – Oct. 15, hear firsthand how appreciative callers huge surge of users that needed the re- role with around the clock messaging “Great job!” tweeted Cayce May- SCDOT’s Web site included several there were 1.1 million page views of were. sources on the site,” Bland said. “The to date information, and the Systems to help keep the public informed in ev- or Elise Partin in response to a mes- resources including current road con- the SCDOT Web site generated by “This saved lives,” according to a site is only as good as the information team making sure the site was ready to er-changing conditions, said Director sage from Secretary of Transportation ditions; an interactive map showing 447,371 users, said Web Development message one woman posted on Twit- on it, and between the Web Develop- handle the increase in demand, it was of Communications Pete Poore. Christy Hall that road closures were closures; detailed storm reports from Manager David Bland. ter, referring to the SCDOT call center. ment team updating the site, depart- truly an SCDOT-wide effort.” For example, Poore said a critical, down 62 percent in four days. “Thanks the Office of Maintenance; details on “Our infrastructure was rock solid, “With water rising, roads out, trees & ments across the agency providing up late-night message on Oct. 5 notified for the hard work from your team! debris removal to assist homeowners; and we had no problems handling the power lines down during #Hurricane Kimberly Corley contributed to this the public that I-95 was impassable #oneSC” and links to the SCDOT 511 Traveler Matthew, a kind voice guided me to report. The SCDOT Facebook page topped Information System, the South Caro- its number of reaches on Oct. 5 at 94,792. One post showing Dorchester 18 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 SC Cares team helps employees after disaster By Kim Corley

nce again, the SC Cares team was ready to help employees Oafter Hurricane Matthew left a path of destruction from the Carib- bean to the Southeast. The SC Cares team is still tallying the final amounts from the 2016 fund raising campaign. “We met our goal and invariably exceeded last year’s donations,” said Rob Manning. So far, everyone’s generous do- nations have been distributed to 63 employees in 11 counties affected by Hurricane Matthew. SC Cares also assisted a family in the upstate after an employee passed away unexpectedly. Jeff Johnson of SCDOT’s Marion Maintenance stands beside damaged Manning and Susan Johnson trav- belongings in front of his house on Oct. 26. Johnson and other SCDOT eled to afflicted areas around the state employees in Marion, Dillon, Horry and Florence counties who worked to interview and assess the needs of After Hurricane Matthew, more than 65 to clear roads and bridges after Hurricane Matthew are now trying to employees affected by the storm. SCDOT employees’ homes were damaged concentrate on repairing their own homes. SCDOT employees across the Johnson described how incredible or destroyed by wind and flooding. state have donated items and money to help. and selfless the employees they inter- viewed were. Despite suffering per- sonal tragedy, these employees contin- LEFT: ued working. When forced from their Joseph homes due to flooding or destruction, Small of the first thing many packed were their SCDOT’s uniforms. “They kept on trekking and Marion doing what they needed to do,” said Maintenance Johnson. looks at flood The most touching moments for damage in Johnson and Manning were during his house the private interviews. Countless em- on Oct. 26. ployees requested their aid be given to a fellow employee whose situation they believed was more dire than their own. “One wanted to give us the enve- lope back before even opening it say- ing ‘I’m not worthy of it when others Susan Johnson and Rose have been hurt more than me.’ He was Bumpers sort donations definitely worthy of it from our- per of household goods and spective,” said Manning. cleaning supplies into boxes Most people would find it difficult for employees who suffered to maintain a positive outlook during losses. such circumstances. An employee lost her truck in a fire. Her response was, “I still have a job.” As always, the SC Cares team ap- TOP RIGHT: Christy Hall and senior staff wore Gamecock jerseys and preciates the outpouring of donations attire after losing a college challenge. SCDOT employees donated in and support. Everyone’s donations honor of their favorite college teams. The University of South Carolina have helped make a difference in the beat Clemson (and other schools, but mostly, it beat Clemson). lives of fellow employees. ABOVE: The Outdoor Advertising Association presented SC Cares with a donation to help employees affected by Hurricane Matthew. You don’t have to wait until the next fund raising campaign to donate mon- LEFT: Wanda Day, right, and Brooke Andrews, left, deliver donations ey, household items or food. Please from SCDOT’s District 2 on Nov. 4, 2016, for employees who had losses contact Susan Johnson or Rob Man- during Hurricane Matthew. The District also donated cash, gift cards and ning to find out how you can help. appliances. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 19 Let it snow? Oh, no! SCDOT crews are ready for wintry weather By Kim Corley snow plows and salt spreaders them to be familiar with it as part of their practice day for so they won’t get themselves winter weather. hurt or anyone else,” said Ja- or SCDOT crews across These practice days are very son Childers, York County the state, preparing for important. Maintenance crews ARME. Fwinter weather begins must ensure all the equipment After, crews go on a “dry well before any hint of snow is in working order early be- run” to familiarize themselves is in the forecast. cause replacement parts could with their assigned route. Back in September tem- be difficult to locate or repairs “A lot of people can call peratures were still reaching could be time consuming. in if it’s a snow day, we don’t near 90 degrees. Despite the Newer crew members also have that luxury. That’s actu- Assistant Resident Maintenance summer weather, crew mem- need practice before any ally when we’re put to the Engineer Jason Childers speaks bers in York County hook up weather event. “We want test,” Childers said. with media representatives about the winter weather preparedness training exercise held at York Maintenance on Sept. 14.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR Ricky Terry, left, and Stephen Moss hook up hydraulics on a salt spreader during the York Maintenance winter weather preparedness training exercise. York Maintenance was ready with supplies. 20 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 Leadership Education and Development Class of 2016

David W. Bland John D. Boylston Thomas E. Dorn Sarah Gaffney Rickelle Gennie Claude R. Ipock IT Services RPG-1 District 2 Construction District 6 Construction FHWA Construction Office

James A. Johannemann Cedric C. Keitt James H. Mattox William R. McGoldrick Keith C. Melvin Chad L. Rawls Maintenance Office Rights of Way Design Build Environmental Outdoor Advertising Road Data Services

Cathy P. Rice Jeffrey S. Terry J. Allen Thompson Tony N. Thompson Mark A. Westbury Jacqueline A. Williams Local Programs District 7 IT Services IT Services Rights of Way Contract Programs By Bob Kudelka ing competing for senior leader- neering Leland Colvin said, vin, Chad L. Rawls, Cathy P. addition, participants spent time ship positions, as a way to ensure “We’re looking at the next lead- Rice, Jeffrey S. Terry, J. Allen in the field with road crews and he inaugural class of seamless succession in the future ers of the DOT- congratulations.” Thompson, Tony N. Thompson, bridge inspection teams. LEAD, the SCDOT of the agency. Graduates of 2016 SCDOT Mark A. Westbury and Jacque- “They were trained in all ma- Tleadership development Hall spoke at the ceremony LEAD class are David W. Bland, line A. Williams. jor functions of the organization course, graduated Dec. 5, 2016, and congratulated the 2016 class. John D. Boylston, Thomas E. Charlie Brown, Director of and got to interact with the senior at a ceremony at Headquarters. “I appreciate your willing- Dorn, Sarah Gaffney, Rick- Human Capital Investment in members of those functions,” Secretary of Transportation ness to step forward, and I cannot elle Gennie, Claude R. Ipock, Human Resources, coordinated Brown said. “If one of these Christy Hall created LEAD, a thank you enough for your dedi- James A. Johannemann, Cedric the program and said classes were year-long leader development cation and efforts,” Hall said. C. Keitt, James H. Mattox, Will held two days per month from course for employees consider- Deputy Secretary for Engi- McGoldrick, Keith C. Mel- January through December. In See next page SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 21

LEAD from page 20 L eadership E ducation A nd D evelopment CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR Public views 49 different By Pete Poore lic to view, ask questions or make comments. Project Manager Brian Klauk said public feedback is im - plans “We’re looking significant public meet- portant, “Public participation is crit- at the next leaders ing was held on September ical to the project’s success.” 22 connected to the I-20/I- The public comment period end - for of the DOT­­ — 26/I-126A interstate corridor study ed on Nov. 18. The team will begin and the Carolina Crossroads project working to reduce the number of op- congratulations.” to improve the impact on the inter- tions to just a few. change commonly known as “Mal- The immediate goal is to com- function Junction.” plete the preliminary processes in an Christy A. Hall The project team presented 49 effort to put the contract out for bid S.C. Secretary preliminary alternatives for the pub- and go to construction in 2019. of Transportation National report ranks SCDOT By Pete Poore highway system as possible. The report also notes that South Carolina employees does rise to a leader- continues to have the 4th largest state-main- ship position, they already know CDOT has been rated as the top ranked tained highway system in the country. In oth- people and they’re going to be a overall state DOT in the nation by the er categories, SCDOT earned the following cohort as they spend the next 15 Reason Foundation in Los Angeles. rankings: “Additionally, being ranked or 20 years in the agency.” TheS Foundation released its 22nd Annual • 47th in Fatality rates among the worst in the nation on LEAD class member Chad Highway Report on Sept. 22. This report • 24th in Deficient Bridges fatalities is# not something to be Rawls called it a “great pro- ranks every state’s highway system on pave- • 9th in Rural Interstate Pavement Con- proud of and it’s a trend we must gram,” and said he would rec- ment condition, traffic congestion, deficient dition reverse. SCDOT will be calling ommend it to fellow employees. bridges, traffic fatality rates, dollars spent per • 11th in Urban Interstate Pavement on our policy makers to help “I’ve spent all 21 years in the mile and other categories. The previous report Condition implement a Rural Highway Safety Program same section and I know a lot of ranked SCDOT as 4th. • 17th in Urbanized area congestion aimed at reducing fatalities on roads where people by name or face but did Specifically, the Reason Foundation ranks Secretary Christy Hall had these reactions high death rates occur,” said Hall. not really know exactly what SCDOT #1 in Overall Highway Performance to the Reason Foundation Report, “SCDOT SCDOT is proud and honored by this rec- they do,” said Rawls, Pavement and Cost-Effectiveness. SCDOT spends the appreciates receiving the top ranking in Over- ognition, but our mission is to improve the Management Operations En- lowest amount of maintenance dollars per all Performance and Cost-Effectiveness. This quality and safety of South Carolina’s high- gineer in Road Data Services. mile on highways and bridges than any other report is clear evidence of SCDOT being a way system and that mission1 continues. That “It was great to see how all the state DOT. In addition, the ranking for the national leader in doing more with less. We task demands our attention every day. We reaf- spokes fit on the wheel together lowest administrative costs for SCDOT is #5. should recognize that spending the least per firm the agency’s commitment to our citizens to make us roll - how all the Combined, this means that SCDOT is ranked mile in the nation means that some needs are to work hard to maintain our highways and parts work together. You de- as the best DOT in terms of putting as much unmet and deferred maintenance is accumu- bridges and manage our available resources as velop great relationships. You’ll of its funding into the maintenance of the lating rapidly,” said Hall. best we can,” Hall concluded. always know who to go to now,” Rawls said. The 2017 LEAD course will Reason Foundation’s press release announcing the 22nd Annual Highway Report: begin in July in conjunction with http://reason.org/studies/show/22nd-annual-highway-report the fiscal year schedule, Brown said. Nominations will be con- State-by-state summaries: sidered in the spring. http://reason.org/files/highway_report_state_by_state_summaries.pdf 22 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 Bus Roadeo Transit drivers participate in day-long safety conference, driving skills competition

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR The Santee-Lynches, Central Midlands, Upper Savannah and Appalachian (SLCMUSA) Regional Public Transit Roadeo was held at the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy on Saturday, Aug. 27. Twenty-four public transit drivers from the SLCMUSA region competed against one another in various technical driving events, altered to the type of vehicle they used: 35-foot buses, cut-a-ways or transit vans (MV-1s). SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 23

Kershaw County: Pine Grove Road opens

Construction team members from SCDOT and Lee Construction pose by the ribbon at the brief ceremony on Nov. 10.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROB THOMPSON/THE CONNECTOR Dignitaries cut the ribbon on the new $4.2 million bridge on Pine Grove Road (S-36) over Twenty-Five Mile Creek in Lugoff on Nov. 10, 2016. The Kershaw County bridge was closed due to the October 2015 flooding. From left, Lugoff Fire Chief Dennis Ray, Billy Smith with the Kershaw County School District, Kershaw County Councilman Bobby Gary, Kershaw County Councilman Jimmy Jones, Representative Laurie Funderburk, Senator Members of the Lugoff Fire Department pose by the ribbon. Vincent Sheheen, SCDOT Chief Engineer for Operations Andy Leaphart, SCDOT District 1 The reopened road will shorten response times in the area Construction Engineer Robbie Isgett and Ron Shaw of Lee Construction. for emergency vehicles. Lexington County: Devils Backbone Road opens

SCDOT officials, dignitaries, contractors and local citizens cut the ribbon on the completed Devils Backbone Road project in Lexington County on Oct. 17. The road had been closed due to damage sustained during the October 2015 floods. From left, are: SCDOT Chief PHOTOGRAPHS BY CODY CROUCH/THE CONNECTOR Engineer for Operations Andy Leaphart; Michael Shealy of Shealy Realty; SCDOT Lexington Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall poses with Tripp "B" Resident Construction Engineer Joey McIntyre, back with helmet and vest; Mike Taylor Whitesides, center, and Eric Moody of Cherokee Inc., at of Batesburg Leesville Chamber of Commerce; Cal Forrest; Senator Shane Massey; SCDOT the completed Devils Backbone Road project in Lexington Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall; Senator Katrina Shealy; Representative Ralph County on Oct. 17. Kennedy; Eric Moody of Cherokee, Inc. and Billy Derrick of Derrick Plumbing. 24 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

District 1 News Got news? Contact Alan Kozusko at: 803-737- Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Richland and Sumter counties 6420 or email him at KozuskoAR@ scdot.org Acting District Engineer: Robert Dickinson (803) 737-6660 FAX: (803) 737-6401 Alan love, cheer, families, and food—maybe not in that Kozusko order—but also a time of reflection for many. This Better to give... is a time where we reflect on what kind of year it By Alan Kozusko, has been, how we dealt with and learned from it, say Assistant District 1 goodbye to it, and plan for the next one. Maintenance Engineer This year was marked by Hurricane Matthew. Especially in District 1, on the one-year anniver- . . . Food his issue of The Connector will likely arrive sary of a storm where we were so grateful to receive he District Office heard in your inboxes and mailboxes in the heart of help, this year we were reminded it is often better to that the University of South the Christmas season. The season is a time of give. Here are some of the ways we gave this year. Carolina (USC) was collect- T Ting food and supplies for Louisi- ana State University (LSU) in the wake of Hurricane Hermine. USC was doing this to return the favor to . . . Blood LSU who was so gracious last year n August, Tracey Hen- in their support of our state. derson and Dewey The supplies were so extensive, Bass of Kershaw Main- an additional truck had to be called I to receive the rest of the donations. had several loads to fill several tenance organized a Blood Drive with the Red Cross. Office Manager Jane Huckabee trucks. They were so successful the Bloodmobile had to turn donors away due to time. Meet Christine Orne They plan on hosting an- other drive in the next couple months. What more can one give but a part of oneself that literally will save the life of another? Dewey Bass, left, and and Tracey Henderson’s hard work wasn’t done in vain. Kershaw Maintenance had a record turnout and they are planning another blood drive soon.

Christine Orne n the wake of Hurricane Mat- single District 1 employee for the thew, Christine Orne or- Employee Appreciation events. Iganized the District 1 fund Orne has been an Administrative raising drive for the SC Cares pro- Assistant in the district office for gram. This program sells SCDOT more than two years and enjoys merchandise to raise money for traveling, hiking and the arts. SCDOT employees impacted by Orne also enjoys old cars. She Matthew. Orne also coordinated is a member of the local British the T-shirt distribution for every Car Club and has a 1975 MG. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 25

District 2 News Got news? Contact Steve Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Coleman at Newberry and Saluda counties 864-889-8024 or email him at District Engineer: Kevin McLaughlin (864) 227-6971 ColemanWS@scdot. FAX : (864) 227-6567 org.

D2 employees help after the storm Steve Coleman

Greenwood Maintenance crews assisted in Hurricane Matthew tree clearing along S.C. 170 in Jasper County, while McCormick Maintenance employees helped repair a washout on S-75 in Jasper County.

Another ‘addition’ to the D2 Museum By Bob Edmonds The guys on the construction side in the an inch to insure the accurate performance Former McCormick RME Department used a larger model Monroe. of the finished machine. The first Monroe In 1911, Jay Randolph Monroe first was offered to the business world in 1914. saw the Baldwin Calculator, the inven- In 1932, the company was awarded the he manually-operated computer tion of Frank Stephen Baldwin, patented Franklin Institute’s John Price Wetherill was extensively used in the 1930s- in 1874. Monroe recognized the merits of Medal. 1950s by personnel of the South the Baldwin Calculator, and in April 1912 Early models of calculator were des- TCarolina State Highway Department. This he organized the Monroe Calculating Ma- ignated by letters, A through ---. The “L” particular model was manufactured for and chine Company working in a small rented model was produced from January 1929 distributed by Sears, Roebuck and Co. room near Newark, New Jersey; the man- to February 1971. A crank on the right When I came to the Department on Feb. ufacture of the first Monroe Adding-Cal- side rotates clockwise for addition and 1, 1951, I began using a smaller version, a culator was begun. The following year the counterclockwise for subtraction and Monroe Model L at McCormick Mainte- firm moved to Orange, New Jersey. The likewise for division and multiplication. nance for­ doing payrolls, compiling data factory personnel consisted of only nine In back of the keyboard is the carriage, for construction projects, resurfacing con- men and the entire heavy factory equip- with 16 result dials and eight revolution tracts, fuel consumption records, etc. It, ment was a lathe and two small presses. register dials. A crank for clearing the car- along with the manual typewriter, was my Even with these meager tools, tolerances riage is on its right side and another one primary office equipment for many years. were maintained to within thousandths of for shifting the carriage at the front. 26 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

Got news? District 3 News Please contact Karuiam Booker at 864-241-1010 Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties or by emailing him at [email protected] District Engineer: Stephanie Jackson-Amell (864) 241-1010 FAX (864) 241-1115 Karuiam Booker

Crew helps replace signs

Rocky Road: Salters Road project Contractors ran into a partially weathered rock in the roadbed on the Salters Road project in Two District 3 employees from Pickens Maintenance Greenville County. They used a hammer-hoe to break through the 15-foot depth to develop the went to Dillion County to help fellow SCDOT roadbed. Crews had to work day and night to remove the hardened material. employees replace signs that were lost or damaged from Hurricane Matthew. Chris Fuller and Steven Shock, at right, pose with Dillon Maintenance employees. Where there’s smoke, there’s SCDOT monitoring for wildfires, danger Meet Jeff Giles CDOT monitored condi- eff Giles is the recently tions on state roads in ar- promoted shop foreman for eas of South Carolina im- Greenville Maintenance pactedS by the recent wildfires. J Operations. Giles is a 5 year vet- At the request of law enforcement eran at SCDOT who brings over SCDOT deployed message signs on 17 years of experience from S.C. 11 in Pickens County advising the private sector working with motorists to keep moving instead of pumps, cylinder and valves for stopping to view the fires. The message the hydraulic industry. on the signs read “Keep Moving – Do Giles says a large por- Not Stop – Fire Control.” tion of success in his role is SCDOT employees continued work- due to the wonderful team of ing in these areas, but were advised mechanics and the adminis- to avoid low-lying areas unless there tration he has the opportu- was an immediate danger to motorists. nity to work with every day. Protective gear including masks was In his spare time, Giles works made available to employees. SCDOT in his home shop tinkering with urged motorists to obey all message antique cars and spending time boards, speed limits and use caution in Jeff Giles with his family. impacted areas. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 27

District 4 News Got news? Contact Edward Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Lancaster, Moore with your Union and York counties ideas at 803-377- 4155 or by emailing District Engineer John McCarter (803) 377-4155 him at MooreEO@ FAX: (803) 581-2088 scdot.org Vegetation crews prove they are a ‘cut above’ the rest Edward Moore aintenance em- ployees from across District 4 Mconverged at York Mainte- nance on Oct. 16 for a time of chainsaw/pole saw train- ing and competition. District 4 IRVM Co- ordinator Ken Caldwell organized the event and has conducted the training portion for several years. Eddie Aiton competes. The competition areas were chainsaw maintenance, speed cut, pole saw and tree John Watson competes. Chainsaw Maintenance competition felling. Everyone enjoyed a hot- dog lunch with the proceeds going to help the family of John Branham. Branham was a York Maintenance employee who passed away on duty and left a wife and two small children. The event raised more than $1000 to assist his family with Christmas.

The winners of the competitions were:

Chainsaw Maintenance 1. Dennis Moore Chester Maintenance 2. Richard Hunter D4 Bridge Maintenance Chainsaw Speed Cut 1. Buddy Bell Tina Laymon competes. Tommy Sawyer John K. Branham of York Maintenance Chester Maintenance died Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. 2. Jeremy Shrewsberry He began working for SCDOT in 2010 York Maintenance and was foreman over the vegetation Pole Saw Speed Cut crew. He is survived by a wife and two 1. Ricky Michau children. Chester Maintenance 2. Brett Branham Employees at York Maintenance Fairfield Maintenance conducted several fund raisers and Chainsaw Tree Felling donated over $2,200 to John’s wife 1. Byron Crosby and children. All employees at York Chester Maintenance Maintenance are wearing hard hat 2. Melvin Brown - D4 Pavement Preservation stickers “JKB 4620” in his memory. The winners pose for a photo after the competition. 28 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

District 5 News Got news? Contact Michael Miller at Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, 843-661-4710 or by emailing Marlboro and Williamsburg counties him at [email protected] District Engineer Kyle Berry (843) 661-4710 FAX: (843) 661-4704 Michael Miller D5 makes repairs after Hurricane Matthew

Dillon Maintenance employee Neil Carmichael The District 5 Bridge Crew works to repair a washout inspects a washout in Dillon County. in Williamsburg County.

Members of the Georgetown Construction SCDOT employees repair a pipe on Gausetown office assist in getting a tree off of U.S. 17 in Dillon Maintenance sets out cones for the crews to Road in Kingstree. Georgetown County. take out and mark roadside damage. SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 29 District 6 News Got Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper counties news? Contact Debra District Engineer: Robert Clark (843) 740-1665 Jerideau : FAX: (843) 740-1663 843-834-9034 or by emailing her at We did it again JerideauDJ@scdot. By Debra J. Jerideau org Debra Jerideau urricane Matthew became the first category 5 Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Felix in H2007. Matthew was the 13th named storm, fifth hurricane and second major hurricane of the active 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season. Hurricane Matthew was a long-lived tropical cyclone and extremely destructive. The storm formed on Sept. 28 and dissipated on Oct. 10, with wind speeds as high as 160 mph. Hurricane Matthew produced widespread destruc- Hurricane Matthew flooding caused a washout on tion and tragic loss of life during its voyage across the Old Black Oak Road. Western Atlantic affecting parts of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Lucayan Archipelago and the south- eastern United States. An estimated 1,600 deaths were at- tributed to the storm. Damages are estimated in excess of 10.5 billion dollars, making it the 10th costliest Atlantic Kenny Smith of Jasper Maintenance had damage to his home from the storm. hurricane in history. Governor Nikki Haley declared a state of emergency on Oct. 4 and called for the evacuation of coastal coun- ties closing schools and government offices starting Oct. 5. On Oct. 11, President Obama declared South Carolina a disaster area with 13 counties affected. Some areas of South Carolina received as much as 15 inches of rain. More than 400 state roads and bridges across South Car- olina were closed because of the storm, including parts of I-95. At the height of the storm more than 850,000 Two troopers arrive in Charleston after traveling SCDOT crews finish resetting a 60-inch pipe on Old residents were without power. from Columbia to make sure I-26 is clear before Black Oak Road. Edisto Island suffered flooding, downed trees and de- the lane reversal. stroyed or severely damaged homes. The beach suffered significant erosion losing an estimated 155,000 cubic yards of sand. The storm surge caused up to four feet of Meet Eric A. Jones sand to collect on some streets on Edisto Island. Name: Eric A. Jones Exam and is currently an Engineer in Train- Again, SCDOT employees jumped into action with Title: District 6 ARME ing. He is now studying for the Professional more than 1,600 employees working sunrise to sunset to Engineering License Exam and plans to take ensure roads and bridges were safe and passable. ric A. Jones, of Charleston, is a it in 2017. Hurricane Matthew was equally destructive to some 1995 graduate of Summerville High Jones began his career with the SCDOT SCDOT employees who lost everything. Still they ESchool. in June 1999 in Charleston Road Construc- Jones attended Trident Technical College tion Office “A,” working as an Assistant worked without regard for their own situations clearing where he earned an associate’s degree in Party Chief/Roadway Inspector. In Novem- and rebuilding roads and bridges, and getting motorists Civil Engineering Technology, and an asso- ber 2001 he accepted a position with the lives back to normal as quickly as possible. Like most ciate’s degree in Science. In 2015, he earned Specialized Bridge Division in the Bridge families, SCDOT pulled together gathering donations a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Inspection Office. He is currently the Assis- of clothing, furniture, personal care items, cleaning sup- from the Citadel, graduating Summa Cum tant Resident Maintenance Engineer. plies and cash through fund raisers with the SC Cares Laude with a 4.0 GPA. In May 2016 he In his spare time, he enjoys playing/ passed the Fundamentals of Engineering watching sports, working out and reading. program. Eric Jones 30 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

District 7 News Got news? Contact Danny Simmons at: 803-395-7165 or by emailing him at Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Hampton [email protected] and Orangeburg counties

District Engineer: Bryan Jones (803) 531-6850 Danny FAX: (803) 531-6854 Simmons The path, wrath, aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in D7 very county in District 7 was directly af- District. fected in some way by Hurricane Matthew. Crews met these challenges and demonstrated Crews in District 7 worked tirelessly to re- their professionalism and ongoing commitment to Estore and repair the roadways. safety while working the long hours required to re- The aftermath of the storm presented challenges turn the roadway to safe condition for the motoring such as large fallen trees, downed power lines and public. washed out roadways in almost every county in the

Sign replacement in Allendale

Removing debris on Garland Drive in Orangeburg

Crews remove a tree on Highway 36 in Road clearing in Calhoun county Hampton County.

Bridge inspection on S-336 in Allendale

Downed tree removal in Bamberg Pipe replacement near Holly Hill on S.C. 210 Repairs on Brown Road (S-14-365) in Clarendon County SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016 31 Centennial celebration begins By Pete Poore The SCDOT Commission launched the Centennial year at its an. 1, 2017, marks the begin- Dec. 1, 2016, meeting in Columbia ning of SCDOT’s 100th year of by adopting a resolution “recogniz- providing service to the state of ing the efforts of all looking back JSouth Carolina. The actual anniver- 100 years to where it began, while sary date is March 10, 2017. looking forward to the future as On March 10, 1917, a group we celebrate SCDOT’s year-long of men stood around the desk of recognition of the ‘Centennial’ be- Governor Richard I. Manning to ginning on Jan. 1, 2017.” The reso- witness his signature on the State lution also notes all of the name Highway Act. After the signing, changes that have occurred before On Dec. 18, 1981, the final section the South Carolina State Highway the agency became the South Caro- of I-77, between Charlotte and Commission became a reality. The lina Department of Transportation. Columbia, opened to traffic. men who were present for the oc- Plans for Centennial recogni- casion were the first members of tions during 2017 are being final- the South Carolina State Highway ized. Secretary Hall said the Cen- Commission. tennial should be both a look back World War I slowed down the and forward. “We’ll recognize and Commission’s ability to move for- honor the accomplishments of SC- ward. However, by 1920 the state DOT during the past 100 years, highway system had been estab- but we will also use this historic lished with 3,037 miles of roads. milestone to provide the start of a Only 26 miles were paved. A far much higher level of service for the Nathaniel Brown mows grass cry from the present day system people of South Carolina who will along S.C. 215 in Fairfield of approximately 42,000 miles, in- need and deserve the best possible County in 1936. cluding 851 interstate miles transportation system.”

The bridge closure dates on display at the Gervais Street bridge in Columbia on June 3, 1991. The bridge underwent major restoration and repairs in the summer of 1991.

SCDOT FILE PHOTOS Richland Maintenance mechanics A.B. West, left, and Fred Price make repairs to a school bus on Dec .14, 1953. From 1951 until gradual transfer to the Educational Finance A Highway Department bridge Commission in the mid-1960s inspection ‘snooper’ truck in the Highway Department 1968. The state highway bridge was tasked with school bus inspection program began in maintenance and driver training. late 1968. 32 SCDOT l THE CONNECTOR l WINTER 2016

VOLUME XXVII NO. III SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WINTER 2016 VIEWPOINTS By Christy Hall thew while still on the heels of portunities require that we step up complete confidence in our team South Carolina Secretary recovering from the flood of Oc- our delivery of completed proj- and our ability to work together to of Transportation tober 2015. There are so many in- ects that the public deserves and quickly solve problems and keep spiring stories from our response our state needs to increase safety things moving on the right track. and recovery operations, and I and economic growth. It is also I truly believe that we have the s we draw 2016 to a close, continue to be impressed by the incumbent upon all SCDOT staff best team in the nation and our I cannot help but to think dedication and commitment of to ensure that we are crystal clear OneDOT concept is more than an Aback over the roller coast- our team. in our transparency and account- expression, it is how we conduct er ride that we have been on over Other challenges have pre- ability in terms of how we handle ourselves and accomplish our the past 12 months. 2016 was ex- sented themselves as opportuni- the funding provided to us by the mission. citing, energizing, exhausting and ties, such as additional revenue people of South Carolina. I am honored to be able to challenging. The challenges have provided by the General Assem- All of these challenges and serve as your Secretary of Trans- included a “call to duty” such as bly and reform of the governing opportunities will ramp up even portation and I look forward to recovering from Hurricane Mat- structure of SCDOT. These op- further in 2017. However, I have continuing to tell our story. PERMIT NO 108 COLUMBIA, SC US POSTAGE Why are SCDOT senior staff wearing USC’s garnet and black school colors? PRSRT STD PAID

Some of the senior staff here are die-hard Clemson fans, but they agreed to wear garnet and black USC Gamecock attire after USC beat Clemson. See the story inside on page 18.