SC transportation leader who oversaw gas tax hike, $2B in roadwork announces retirement

South Carolina’s Transportation Secretary Christy Hall is calling it a career.

Hall announced her retirement Wednesday. She is leaving the agency at the end of March.

Hall, who earns $309,920 a year, has served as transportation secretary for 10 years after then-Gov. Nikki Haley appointed her.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside the men and women of the S.C. Department of Transportation to serve the people of South Carolina,” Hall said in a news release.

Hall thanked Gov. Henry McMaster and the transportation commission for the opportunity to continue to lead the agency.

“I also want to thank the South Carolina General Assembly for recognizing the need to boost funding for infrastructure and to continuously evaluate those funding levels in order to keep pace with rapidly evolving business, residential and economic development needs,” Hall said.

Hall oversaw the agency as it restored its finances and financial reputation, developed and carried out a strategic 10-year plan, and accelerated critical interstate widening projects.

Hall, who is an engineer, was at the helm of the industry after a 2016 reform that took the day-to-day decision making of signing contracts, finalizing permitting and decisions on land acquisition out of the commission’s hands, and into the hands of the department secretary.

She has served in various roles in the agency, including over design, project management, construction management, and road and bridge maintenance. Before becoming transportation secretary, Hall served as deputy secretary for finance and administration, and deputy secretary for engineering.

The S.C. DOT Commission will appoint a new transportation secretary, who will need approval from the state Senate.

During Hall’s tenure, state lawmakers raised the statewide gas tax and created other new revenue streams to help improve the state’s crumbling roadways. Between 2017 and 2023, the transportation department spent at least $1.9 billion on improvement projects, with another $3.3 billion committed to pending or future work, The State previously reported.

Hall was at the helm of the agency during the 2015 floods, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.

“Secretary Hall will be remembered as one of the greatest transportation secretaries in state history,” McMaster said in a statement. “Her unparalleled expertise and relentless work ethic have allowed SCDOT to flourish under her leadership. Whether responding to natural disasters or spearheading transformative infrastructure projects, she has consistently delivered for the people of South Carolina. She leaves a legacy of excellence and has placed the agency in a position to continue to drive our state forward.”

Committed projects include interstate widening, pavements, rural road safety and bridges. So far, the state has improved more than 700 miles of rural roads by widening shoulders and adding features such as rumble strips. Work on replacing 300 bridges and improving more than 80 miles of interstate is also underway.

Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, who is critical of the slow progress of improving Interstate 85, was complimentary of Hall’s time leading the agency.

“Christy Hall, she had the toughest job in state government. She had to put up with people like me,” Peeler said.

“You can’t blame that (I-85) on her per se. It’s just frustration with the highway department and DOT,” Peeler added. “I think she did as good a job as you can do.”