York County is scheduled to complete the resurfacing of all 40 roads approved in the 2017 Pennies for Progress Four Referendum by the end of 2021. Through the Pennies Four program, 80 miles of resurfacing will be completed. Additionally, the resurfacing projects are expected to be $6 million under the referendum resurfacing budget of $50 million.
“Surprisingly, COVID-19 had no impact on our Pennies for Progress revenue,” said Patrick Hamilton, York County Assistant Engineer. “Pennies for Progress had its three highest quarters during this past year.”
Anticipating voters would approve the referendum, York County Engineering expedited these projects by beginning preliminary work prior to the referendum vote. Engineering staff preemptively worked with SCDOT in the fall of 2017 on preparing two resurfacing bids to be advertised during the winter. These two packages totaled over $10 million, and both packages were bid and awarded prior to the tax beginning on May 1, 2018. Additionally in November 2017, the Engineering Department requested a loan from the York County Council to jumpstart the resurfacing projects; as well as, to begin design on other Pennies Four projects. York County Council approved a $16 million loan, and the loan was paid back in full in 2020.
Hamilton went on to say, “Without the loan from York County Council, Engineering staff would have begun the resurfacing projects in 2019. York County Engineering is very thankful for Council’s approval of the loan, their trust in our staff, and their support for our Pennies programs.”
In 2016, the Pennies Four Sales Tax Commission that represents the residents of York County recognized that the resurfacing of existing roads was important to the residents of York County. The Tax Commission held public meetings throughout the County, to receive input on the Pennies Four referendum. One of the main requests this group received from the public was to pave existing roads. Therefore, the commission allocated $50 million towards resurfacing. Listed below are notable roads that were resurfaced during Pennies Four, a full list can be viewed on the York County Pennies For Progress website at www.penniesforprogress.net.
• Cherry Road
• Mount Gallant Road
• Regent Parkway
• New Gray Rock Road
• Campbell Road
• Kingsburry Road
• Lockhart Highway
In 1997, York County proposed the very first local option sales tax program in the state to improve roads throughout the County. Pennies for Progress programs have been presented to the residents of York County four times through a referendum, and all four times the referendum has passed. Learn more about Pennies for Progress by visiting www.penniesforprogress.net.