As of November 14, 2024, the draft South Carolina Statewide Rail Plan is available online for public comment over the next 30 days.
Comments will be accepted until the close of business on December 14, 2024, and should be submitted to Ginny Jones, Public Involvement Director, SCDOT Public Engagement Office, 955 Park Street, P.O. Box 191, Columbia, S.C. 29202 or by email to SCDOTpubliccomment@scdot.org.
(Please note, any information provided, including names and addresses, is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.)
The SC Statewide Rail Plan represents a long-term vision of statewide policy to improve freight and passenger rail.
The 2024 update will involve input and guidance from a variety of stakeholders, to include passenger and freight rail operators, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Council of Governments (COGs), neighboring state DOTs, and the general public. The Plan will assess the existing statewide rail system in South Carolina and identify opportunities to enhance rail safety and expand rail service. The Plan will also identify anticipated trends, needs, and issues that will impact rail over the next 20 years.
Existing South Carolina Rail System
Outreach
Outreach is a key component of the State Rail Plan Update. We want to hear from rail carriers, transit providers, other freight and passenger rail stakeholders, as well as the general public related to statewide rail needs and issues.
Rail Plan Advisory Committee
The Rail Plan Advisory Committee (RAC) is used an advisory panel for this project. Participants include SCDOT, State and Federal Partners, Regional and Local Partners, Railroads, and other Stakeholders. The purpose of the group is to review and vet findings and provide input on how the State Rail Plan Update fits into the broader vision for South Carolina.
April 24, 2024 Meeting Materials
June 4, 2024 Meeting Materials
October 2024 (tentative)
Meeting Materials posted after the meeting.
Public Engagement
Public engagement is integral to the Statewide Rail Plan development to ensure the plan reflects the needs and priorities of all South Carolina residents and users of our rail system. The project team will conduct an online public meeting for members of the general public who have an interest in rail. Additionally, there will be opportunities for the public to offer comments on the Statewide Rail Plan Update.
June 26, 2024 Virtual Public Meeting
Video Recording of Meeting
Schedule
1
Step One
Develop Public
Involvement Plan
Details the outreach approach and activities.
February 2024
2
Step Two
Form Rail Plan Advisory
Committee (RAC)
Conduct 3 meetings throughout the study.
April 2024 - October 2024
3
Step Three
Conduct one-on-one
Interviews with Rail
Stakeholders
Interview shippers, carriers, industry representatives, chambers of commerce, port authority, economic development agencies, and other stakeholders.
May 2024 - July 2024
4
Step Four
Engage the Public through
SCDOT Website + Online
Public Meeting
Publish SCDOT Statewide Rail Plan webpage and conduct an online workshop with passenger rail stakeholders + the general public.
Summer 2024