Senator Scott Applauds $25 Million Grant for Dorchester County Corridor

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement on the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant that he advocated for review and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved. This nearly $25 million grant for U.S. Highway 78 Phase 3A was the only grant awarded in South Carolina in Round 2 of 2025 BUILD grant funds.

“This BUILD grant is a vital investment in the safety of Dorchester’s residents and its future, and I look forward to seeing the development of this project that will improve safety for residents and overall corridor efficiency,” said Senator Scott. “The U.S. Highway 78 corridor has been a transportation priority for South Carolina for years, and this funding will deliver real, day-to-day improvements for the community.”

Sen. Scott wrote a letter to the DOT in support of the BUILD grant to address safety concerns and congestions levels along the corridor in Dorchester County.

This infrastructure investment is designed to improve traffic flow, expand transportation options, and enhance overall mobility and connectivity throughout the corridor, delivering substantial benefits to residents and commuters.

Background:

The U.S. 78 Phase 3A project will transform a critical transportation corridor by widening the highway from west of Orangeburg Road to North Maple Street in Dorchester County, South Carolina. The expansion will convert the existing two-lane roadway into a five-lane configuration featuring:

• 12-foot-wide travel lanes 
• 15-foot-wide center turn lane 
• Approximately 3.39 miles of new sidewalks 
• Approximately 4.9 miles of bicycle lanes 
• Approximately 0.41 miles of multi-use path 
• Upgraded intersections with dedicated turn lanes and concrete medians 
• Replacement of the Rumphs Hill Creek culvert 
• Installation of curb and gutter systems along the corridor 

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