The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) in the US is projecting $70bn for transportation needs in the state over the next 26 years, including $60bn for roads.

The projections are based on South Carolina’s population, which is expected to increase from 4.7 million now to six million by 2040.

Information gathered from different groups, including the South Carolina department of commerce, the US Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration and other groups, the department found that a total of $60bn will be needed to build new roads.

"The projections are based on South Carolina’s population, which is expected to increase from 4.7 million now to six million by 2040."

Approximately $13bn of the total amount will be required to increase the capacity of the state’s interstate system, including $2.4bn for Interstate 73.

A total of $22bn will be needed for other new roads and expanding existing roads, while $23bn for maintaining and resurfacing existing roads.

As per the SCDOT’s Intermodal Plan, roughly $4bn will be required to replace obsolete bridges and $1.3bn for maintenance of 8,400 bridges across the state.

The department also plans to expand the public transportation across South Carolina, as six of the state’s 46 counties do not have public transportation systems.

In order to maintain and enhance public transportation, the department will need $2.4bn and $1.2bn respectively.

SCDOT also plans to spend $1.2bn for building bicycle lanes and trails, and $1.7bn for rapid rail and bus transit services between Charlotte, North Carolina and Atlanta.