General
SCDOT’s Environmental Stewardship Web Site Demonstrates Commitment to Preservation and Protection of Resources

May 13, 2008, 11:51

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will unveil a new web site on Wednesday May 14 that details the many efforts the agency is making to protect the environment, conserve the use of resources and save the taxpayer’s dollars.
The web site portrays how SCDOT has reviewed all opportunities to employ environmentally sound practices. Transportation Secretary H.B. Limehouse Jr. said, “We have looked from top to bottom to find ways to preserve the environment. This web site will demonstrate a wide-ranging spectrum of innovative environmental practices that are now the way we do business at SCDOT.”

The topics that can be found include:

• The recycling of light materials such as paper, aluminum, and plastic, up to the recycling of concrete, asphalt and steel removed from highways and bridges that are being upgraded.
• The site presents initiatives that have been undertaken by SCDOT to preserve wetlands, trees, wildlife and historical locations.
• SCDOT engineers have undertaken programs aimed at reducing traffic congestion, which in turn reduces emissions that impact the air quality. Traffic engineers are involved in the coordination of traffic signals to cut down on “stop-and-go” traffic which impacts negatively on air quality.
• Additional programs targeting traffic congestion involve the encouragement of car pooling and public transportation services.
• SCDOT has thoroughly reviewed programs involving litter control, beautification and other highway enhancements.

Secretary Limehouse said these environmental efforts go hand-in-hand with his overall goal of making SCDOT as efficient as it can be. “I define efficiency as cutting costs and getting the most for the public’s dollars, while doing everything possible to ensure that conservation and preservation of the environment are part of our everyday thought processes at SCDOT,” said Limehouse.

The SCDOT Environmental Stewardship web site can be found at this address beginning Wednesday May 14: www.scdot.org/environmentalstewardship.


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