Soaring Costs Threaten Major Road Projects in South Carolina Upstate

Inflation and gas prices drive up estimated budgets for Woodruff Road and SC 183 Corridor expansions

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:20am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist abstract illustration using bold geometric shapes and primary colors to conceptually represent the rising costs of road construction projects, with overlapping triangles and circles in shades of blue, red, and yellow.Soaring construction costs threaten to delay critical road expansions in South Carolina's fast-growing Upstate region.Pickens Today

Two major road relief projects in South Carolina's Upstate region are facing significant cost increases, with the Woodruff Road project now estimated at $277 million, up from the original $128 million, and the SC 183 widening project jumping from $95 million to $215.8 million. Officials say the rising costs, driven by inflation and high gas prices, have put a strain on the region's transportation funding, forcing them to prioritize these large-scale projects over smaller ones.

Why it matters

The Upstate region has seen rapid population growth in recent years, with the Greenville metro area surpassing 1 million residents. These road expansion projects were intended to alleviate growing traffic congestion, but the skyrocketing costs now threaten to delay or scale back the plans, potentially leaving commuters in the Upstate with worsening gridlock.

The details

The Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS) program met with the South Carolina Department of Transportation to address the cost increases, which officials say have risen by 60% across the state. The Woodruff Road project was originally estimated at $128 million but is now projected to cost $277 million, while the SC 183 widening project has jumped from $95 million to $215.8 million. GPATS, which relies on 80% federal funding, is now facing a budget deficit, forcing the group to prioritize these major projects over smaller ones.

  • The GPATS program met with SCDOT in a special financial workshop on Thursday to discuss the rising costs.
  • The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 1.5% population growth rate across South Carolina between the summers of 2024 and 2025.
  • The Greenville metro population has surpassed 1 million people.

The players

Keith Brockington

The GPATS Transportation Planning Manager, who stated that costs across the state have gone up 60% due to gas prices and inflation.

Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS)

The regional transportation planning organization that is facing a budget deficit due to the rising costs of major road projects.

South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)

The state agency that met with GPATS to discuss the cost increases and potential solutions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This cost estimate could not have come at a worse time from an economic standpoint. Had this come a few years earlier or maybe a few years later, we would not be looking at this.”

— Keith Brockington, GPATS Transportation Planning Manager

What’s next

The GPATS group will discuss options again in April and mid-May to finalize a plan to address the cost changes for the Woodruff Road and SC 183 Corridor projects.

The takeaway

The rising costs of gas and inflation have put a significant strain on the Upstate's transportation funding, forcing officials to prioritize major road projects over smaller ones and explore alternative funding sources to keep these critical infrastructure improvements on track. The region's rapid population growth underscores the urgency of these projects, making the cost challenges all the more challenging to overcome.