Senate Bill: Borrow $2 Billion to Fix S.C. Roads, Bridges

House leaders like a bill being considered by the Senate that would borrow about $2 billion for a decade of highway projects and bridge replacement in South Carolina.

The Senate may give final approval to the bill Wednesday. The proposal uses $200 million in fees and other revenue to borrow $2 billion.

The Department of Transportation would use that money to fix all the state's load-restricted bridges and 51 structurally deficient bridges on major highways. It also would expand interstates and fix bottlenecked interstate intersections.

Rep. Gary Simrill says the Senate proposal will give lawmakers time to find a more permanent funding source for roads. A conference committee also met Wednesday and is considering eventually combining the funding bill with a bill changing how the DOT is run.