Thefts Along Highways Are Dangerous, Costly

The South Carolina Department of Transportation reports that more than 100 storm drain grates have been stolen along U.S. 276 in Greenville and also Interstate 85 in Anderson between Oct. 14-16.

The SCDOT said in a release that in this week alone, Greenville County had approximately 35 storm grates stolen along U.S. 276. An additional 22 were stolen on other routes in the county, including the I-85 corridor.

“This is very possibly the most widespread case of infrastructure theft on our highways that has ever occurred in South Carolina,” said State Maintenance Engineer David Cook.

The grates take at least two people to carry, Cook said, and the thefts pose potential dangers to the motoring public.

In addition to the dangers, the thefts also cause unnecessary costs to taxpayers. The agency is in the process of ordering new grates, but is marking the areas where grates are missing with cones.

In Anderson County, 68 two-piece grates were stolen on I-85 between mile marker 18 and mile marker 40 along the northbound and southbound lanes.

Cook said that the grates have most likely been taken to scrap metal yards. He asked that anyone with information contact 911 or local law enforcement.

 Other thefts around the state, as reported by SCDOT:

• More than 30 manhole covers have been stolen in the Columbia area of Richland County in the past few months.
• Guardrails pieces have been stolen along secondary roads in Allendale and Hampton counties. These were critical pieces in the guardrail design aimed at protecting vehicles.
• Guardrail pieces stolen in Dillon County.
• Seven manhole covers and four storm drain grates were stolen from Darlington County.
• In addition to the 68 storm drain grates stolen from I-85 in Anderson County, manhole covers and guardrail pieces have been stolen in the Anderson area.
• Contractors working on construction projects in Laurens County have reported rebar being stolen from bridge construction sites and batteries stolen from equipment.
• Georgetown County:  Ten grates stolen on US-17 and US-521
• Darlington County:  On I-20 at the parking area, 11 manhole covers, four grates stolen.
• Florence County:  Three manhole covers stolen.
• Dillon County:  More than 200 pieces of guardrail, three manhole covers stolen.
• Horry County: 10 manhole covers and 1 grate stolen.
• Marlboro County:  3 grates and 3 manhole covers stolen.