SC Transportation Commission To Get Stimulus Briefing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina’s Department of Transportation isn’t waiting for President Obama to sign an economic stimulus plan before exploring how to spend the money.

Obama is expected to sign the $787 billion bill in Denver on Tuesday. The plan would pump more than $500 million into transportation and transit projects.

DOT spokesman Peter Poore said the state agency’s staff spent last weekend dissecting the legislation. The seven-member commission will be briefed Tuesday on how the money can be used.

State Transportation Secretary Buck Limehouse has spent weeks trying to shave time off of moving projects forward. For instance, the state kicked off public comment periods for projects four weeks ago in an effort to speed stimulus spending.