Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Chips Away at Infrastructure Backlog with $175 Million in South Carolina Grant
On April 23, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a $175 million federal grant to the South Carolina Department of Transportation under the Bridge Investment Program. This funding will replace four aging, 55-year-old bridges on Interstate 95 over Lake Marion, a critical freight corridor on the East Coast. The new structure will feature three lanes in each direction, with the capacity to expand to four lanes in the future. Secretary Duffy emphasized that this grant is part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to address an inherited backlog of approximately 3,200 unobligated infrastructure grants left unfulfilled by the previous administration.
The announcement received bipartisan support from South Carolina leaders. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott praised the swift action, highlighting the project’s significance for regional commerce and daily commuters. South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell noted the state’s readiness to commence construction immediately, aiming to deliver transformative infrastructure benefits to American families. This initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to revitalizing core infrastructure without imposing additional debt or political agendas.
