ICYMI: U.S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Visits South Carolina, Highlights Critical Investments Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, where he joined House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn to tour local infrastructure and highlight how the Palmetto State is benefiting from federal investments made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Secretary and Majority Whip Clyburn started the day with a tour of the Port of Charleston’s Wando Welch Terminal (WWT) — the state’s largest container terminal. The Port of Charleston is critical to South Carolina’s economy, our national supply chains, and hundreds of good-paying jobs in the area. Secretary Buttigieg spoke with port leadership about how USDOT and resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can deliver needed improvements to our nation’s ports to improve the movement of goods and lower costs for Americans.
After the port visit, the Secretary and Majority Whip Clyburn went to North Charleston, where they joined Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey, Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor, and other local leaders for a news conference to highlight new infrastructure investments in the Charleston area — including a $7 million award from USDOT for the Lowcountry Lowline Project that will convert old rail lines into usable park space and reconnect communities divided by the construction of I-26.
The Secretary also touted Charleston’s Lowcountry Rapid Transit Project, which will create a 21.3-mile bus rapid transit service connecting North Charleston, Charleston, and Summerville with up to 80 new electric buses. The Lowcountry Rapid Transit Project is the state’s first mass transit project and will improve connectivity, mobility, and access to jobs and services for residents in the fast-growing area.
Secretary Buttigieg and Majority Whip Clyburn wrapped up the day with a visit to the Charleston International Airport, which recently received $2.5 million from USDOT’s Airport Improvement Program to make terminal and taxiway lighting improvements. There they spoke with local leaders and community members about how USDOT is working to make South Carolina’s transportation systems cleaner, greener, and more equitable for the future.
Selected media coverage:
Charleston City Paper: USDOT approves advancement of Lowcountry Rapid Transit project
“I feel great,” Mayor John Tecklenburg told City Paper about his reaction to the meeting. “And it’s so comforting to know that you have some real, thoughtful and meaningful partnership with our federal government … [I’m] just so thankful to the Secretary for his commitment.”
The Post and Courier: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg touts SC investments, electric vehicles during visit
WCDB News 2: Buttigieg, Clyburn tour Lowcountry infrastructure
“What has been accomplished here today,” Clyburn said, “bringing all these groups together, this is monumental.”
WCIV News 4: US Secretary of Transportation talks impacts of federal backing for Lowcountry projects
WCSC Live 5 News: Buttigieg visits Lowcountry to highlight transit investments
A project like this, according to Buttigieg, is a benefit to many people.
“It brings benefits in terms of equity, connecting people in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods historically excluded from the best transportation opportunity, now included in access to jobs and opportunities across the region,” he said.
Saw it on social:
@MegKinnardAP: I’m in North Charleston, South Carolina, where DOT @SecretaryPete Buttigieg met today with officials including @WhipClyburn to discuss projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including a greener Charleston bus fleet.
@WhipClyburn: Thanks to @SecretaryPete for visiting Charleston. We were excited to talk with community partners about how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is creating opportunities for transformational investments in our state.
@SCPorts: It was an honor to host @WhipClyburn and @SecretaryPete at #SCPorts to see infrastructure investments with our maritime partners who use it as an office every day to keep the supply chain fluid.
@SecretaryPete: The Lowcountry Rapid Transit project will be the first bus rapid transit system in South Carolina and one of the longest such routes in the nation. Making transit quicker and more reliable means a better commute for riders and less congestion for drivers.
