Although South Carolina has made recent efforts to improve its aging infrastructure, challenges remain -- including from fast population growth.

2026 Report Card for South Carolina’s Infrastructure

Infrastructure is the backbone of South Carolina’s economy, public health, and quality of life. When infrastructure fails to keep pace with growth, the costs fall on residents and communities across the state through reduced safety, diminished quality of life, and slower economic development. South Carolina’s overall infrastructure GPA improved from a D+ in 2021 to a C- in 2026, reflecting progress driven largely by state and federal investment. However, a C- still indicates infrastructure in mediocre condition that requires continued attention. Seven of the eight graded categories remain in the D or C range, and both Drinking Water and Bridges declined since 2021.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) delivered significant federal funding to South Carolina. This included more than $182 million for drinking water systems, a historic $80 million state investment in aviation, and growth in the state’s highway program from $1 billion in 2009 to $6.2 billion in 2024. Charleston Harbor was deepened to 52 feet, making it the deepest port on the East Coast. Safety metrics also improved, with traffic fatality rates declining from 2.1 to 1.7 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, dam safety staffing increasing fourfold, and aviation modernization through NextGen technologies improving aircraft sequencing.

The passage of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Modernization Act (S.831) in 2026 demonstrates the state’s commitment to future infrastructure investment. Although enacted after the Report Card’s data collection period and therefore not reflected in the grades, the legislation elevates transportation leadership to a cabinet-level position, streamlines environmental permitting, expands public-private partnership opportunities, and establishes faster repair timelines. These reforms are intended to improve project delivery and encourage additional investment.

Despite recent gains, important challenges remain. Federal IIJA funding is temporary, and future funding sources are uncertain. South Carolina continues to rank among the top three states for traffic fatalities per 100,000 vehicle miles traveled. Roads, drinking water, and wastewater infrastructure face annual funding gaps measured in hundreds of millions of dollars. Without a sustained state-level funding strategy, recent progress could stall or reverse.

South Carolina is at a crossroads. The state’s population of approximately 5.6 million people is projected to exceed 6.2 million by 2035, increasing demands on infrastructure systems. Climate change compounds these challenges. Sea levels along the South Carolina coast have risen about 10 inches since 1950 and continue to rise at an accelerating rate. By mid-century, 76 critical infrastructure assets are expected to experience regular tidal flooding. Hurricane Helene exposed resilience weaknesses in drinking water systems across the state, while eleven federal disaster declarations between 2022 and 2025 underscore growing pressures from extreme weather.

Workforce and innovation challenges are also emerging. Drinking water and wastewater utilities, particularly in smaller communities, are struggling to attract and retain qualified operators. New initiatives such as the South Carolina Office of Resilience and the state’s first Bus Rapid Transit project represent positive steps, but long-term success will require continued workforce development and data-driven infrastructure management. South Carolina’s C- grade reflects progress, but it should be considered a baseline rather than a destination. Continued improvement will require sustained investment, dedicated revenue sources, and long-term commitment.