A new legislative proposal aims to hold the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to strict timelines when responding to and fixing potholes and road defects across the state.
Under the proposed Pothole Accountability Act, pothole repairs would need to be completed within 10 days of being reported, or the agency would be required to publicly explain why the deadline wasn’t met.
Background: Chronic Road Issues
Potholes have long been a persistent headache for South Carolina drivers.
Years of deferred maintenance, coupled with winter weather and heavy traffic, have contributed to widespread pavement damage on urban and rural roads alike.
In recent years, SCDOT has undertaken initiatives like its annual Pothole Blitz to address these issues and encourage public reporting of road defects.
While maintenance work continues year-round, repair times vary widely depending on available crews and funding.
Currently, there is no statewide mandate requiring potholes to be fixed within a specific timeframe after a complaint is filed.
Key Elements of the Pothole Accountability Act
Sponsored by Congresswoman Nancy Mace, the bill is designed to increase accountability and transparency in how the state handles road repairs.
Its main prov
10-Day Repair Deadline: SCDOT would be required to locate and repair reported potholes and roadway defects within ten days.
Public Online Dashboard: An interactive platform would show every pothole report and track how long each has been open.
Explanation for Delays: If a repair takes longer than ten days, SCDOT must provide a public explanation.
Weekly Response Data: The agency must publish weekly statistics on response times, broken down by county.
Downloadable Data: All information would be made available for public download, increasing transparency.
Mace has pointed to other cities’ standards — such as Chicago’s seven-day target and even shorter goals in Boston and Washington, D.C. — as examples of more aggressive pothole response practices.
Supporters Say Transparency Will Improve Roads
Proponents of the bill argue that clear deadlines and real-time performance data would push the department to be more responsive, especially in smaller communities that often struggle with slow response times due to limited staff or resources.
“South Carolinians deserve to know that when they report a problem, someone is actually listening.
This proposal is simple: fix it in ten days or tell us why you can’t,” Mace said in a press release.
She noted that even if resource constraints slow repairs, the public deserves clear explanations.
Challenges and Context
SCDOT’s workload extends beyond pothole repairs.
The agency manages a broad infrastructure portfolio that includes paving, bridge maintenance, and safety improvements statewide.
South Carolina’s long-term infrastructure plans — such as the decade-long initiative passed in 2017 — have aimed to reduce poor pavement conditions, yet roadways throughout the state still face significant wear and tear.
Continuous growth and increased traffic further exacerbate the challenge of keeping all roads in excellent condition.
There are also existing processes for residents to report potholes or file damage claims when vehicles are harmed due to road defects, but these systems currently operate without legally binding repair deadlines.
What’s Next?
The Pothole Accountability Act must now navigate the legislative process.
If it gains support and becomes law, South Carolina could soon set a formal standard requiring pothole repairs within ten days — a move that would mark one of the most proactive public accountability efforts for road maintenance in the state’s recent memory.
Stay tuned for updates as the proposal advances through the General Assembly and public feedback continues to shape South Carolina’s transportation policies.
