S.C. Code Ann. § 57-1-370: Development of long-range Statewide Transportation Plan; preservation and improvement of existing system.

(A) The department must develop the long-range Statewide Transportation Plan, with a minimum twenty-year forecast period at the time of adoption, that provides for the development and implementation of the multimodal transportation system for the State. The plan must be developed in a manner consistent with all federal laws or regulations and in consultation with all interested parties, particularly the metropolitan planning organizations and the nonmetropolitan planning organization area local officials. The plan may be revised from time to time as permitted by and in the manner required by federal laws or regulations.

(B) Concerning the development, content, and implementation of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, the department must:

(1) develop a process for consulting with nonmetropolitan local officials, with responsibility for transportation, that provides an opportunity for their participation in the development of the long-range Statewide Transportation Plan and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program;

(2) approve the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and ensure that it is developed pursuant to federal laws and regulations and approve an updated Statewide Transportation Improvement Program from time to time as permitted by and in the manner required by federal laws or regulations;

(3) develop and revise the transportation plan for inclusion in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, for each nonmetropolitan planning area in consultation with local officials with responsibility for transportation;

(4) work in consultation with each metropolitan planning organization to develop and revise a transportation improvement program for each metropolitan planning area;

(5) select from the approved Statewide Transportation Improvement Program the transportation projects undertaken in nonmetropolitan areas in consultation with the affected nonmetropolitan local officials with responsibility for transportation;

(6) select projects to be undertaken, in consultation with each metropolitan planning organization, from the metropolitan planning organization's approved transportation improvement plan in metropolitan areas not designated as a transportation management area;

(7) consult with each metropolitan planning organization, in metropolitan areas designated as transportation management areas, concerning the projects selected to be undertaken from the approved transportation improvement program and in accordance with the priorities approved by the transportation improvement program; and

(8) when selecting projects to be undertaken from nontransportation management area metropolitan planning organizations' transportation improvement programs, or selecting the nonmetropolitan area projects to be undertaken that are included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, and when consulting with metropolitan planning organizations designated as transportation management areas, the department shall establish a priority list of projects to the extent permitted by federal laws or regulations, taking into consideration at least the following criteria:

(a) financial viability including a life cycle analysis of estimated maintenance and repair costs over the expected life of the project;

(b) public safety;

(c) potential for economic development;

(d) traffic volume and congestion;

(e) truck traffic;

(f) the pavement quality index;

(g) environmental impact;

(h) alternative transportation solutions; and

(i) consistency with local land use plans.

(C) When state funding is programmed for a project, the department may use federal law, regulations, or guidelines relevant to the type of project being undertaken to be eligible for federal matching funds.

(D) The department shall have any other rights, duties, obligations, or responsibilities as specifically provided by law.