Frequently
Asked
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Get Involved with Momentum 2050
This page is designed to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the transportation planning process in our state. We understand that transportation planning can be complex, and we want to make sure that everyone has the information they need to be engaged and informed about the plan.
About the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan
A multimodal transportation plan guides the state’s actions to improve how people and goods can move around and across the state. It addresses different ways of traveling, such as cars and trucks, transit, air travel, walking and biking, and passenger and freight rail.
The statewide multimodal transportation plan, or Momentum 2050, is a long-term plan made by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). States must create these plans and update them every so often to receive funds from the federal government for transportation. These plans are updated every five years and look at transportation 20 years or more into the future. This Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan will guide South Carolina’s transportation through 2050.
Multimodal means that the plan covers different ways of traveling and moving goods, like by automobiles and trucks, walking and biking, transit, air travel, and passenger and freight rail. SCDOT wants to make transportation work better for everyone by thinking about all these ways of moving together in one plan.
This plan will not pick out projects to build. Instead, it will make strategies and policies to use to advance the state’s transportation goals. These strategies and policies will help SCDOT pick projects in the future.
SCDOT started making the plan in spring 2023 and will keep working until late 2024 or early 2025. During this time, SCDOT is gathering and analyzing information about transportation in the state to—
- Understand the state of transportation today.
- Find trends that may change how people travel.
- Study the state’s highway transportation needs.
- Forecast future funding that may be available for transportation.
- Consider how different alternative future scenarios may change peoples’ and businesses’ needs for transportation.
- Develop policies and strategies to make transportation better, especially around the transportation vision and goals.
- Ask people for feedback about the plan.
- Write reports that clearly show what the plan is and how it was made.
SCDOT is following these steps to make a plan that gives South Carolinians the transportation options they want and need.
South Carolina is responsible for over 41,000 miles of roadway. Only three state governments in the country own more miles of road than the South Carolina government. SCDOT manages state-owned roads and bridges, which include some of the busiest in the state.
Counties, city governments, transit agencies, port authorities, railroads, and other organizations are responsible for other roads, bridges, rail lines, seaports, sidewalks, and trails. SCDOT often works together with them to improve transportation in the state. Even though SCDOT is responsible for a lot, it needs to work with local governments and other organizations to make transportation in South Carolina better.
Creating the Plan
This plan is helping the state get ready for new ways people may travel in the future. New technologies like electric cars or cars that drive themselves may change how people travel or how much funding is available for transportation. In this plan, SCDOT will look at different ways in which these technologies may change how people live and get around. Doing this will help SCDOT make the most of the future when these and other technologies become common. After it finishes the plan, SCDOT will keep track of these technologies so it can be ready for them.
Momentum 2050, South Carolina’s statewide multimodal transportation plan, is for all state residents, businesses, and regions. SCDOT is taking several actions to make the plan meaningful for all parts of the state.
- SCDOT is drawing on the knowledge of its seven districts, each of which works in a different region of the state.
- SCDOT is also talking with organizations all over the state like local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, councils of government, transit agencies, railroads, ports, and airports.
- Last but not least, SCDOT wants to hear from you! How do you use transportation, and what matters to you? There will be several chances to share your ideas. This website will be updated to let you know about these chances to share your thoughts.
Letting SCDOT Know What You Think
Momentum 2050 identifies policies and does not produce projects. However, there are other ways to tell SCDOT about concerns you have about specific locations. SCDOT will consider your input in developing projects. Specifically, you can let SCDOT know your concerns by phone or email. If you want to talk to SCDOT by phone, you can call 855-GO-SCDOT (855-467-2368) toll free or 803-737-1200 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Or, if you prefer, you can send an email on this website: https://www.scdot.org/scdotcontactus/default.aspx.
SCDOT is using feedback received for the plan in a few ways. SCDOT wants to understand how people travel in this state and have a full picture of their transportation needs. Feedback will influence the plan’s vision, goals, and objectives for the plan, which will guide SCDOT as it makes the plan. Finally, SCDOT will use feedback to edit the draft plan before making it final.
SCDOT will update this website while it is making the plan to show progress and ask for your ideas and input. Please check in on this website from time to time to receive future updates and progress reports for the plan.
SCDOT would like to learn more about your experience traveling in South Carolina. Please consider taking our brief five-minute survey.