Elizabeth S. Mabry, SCDOT employees
S.C. Department of Transportation
June 2003

Examples of the program's excellence Due to the periodic changes of project priorities, it sometime is difficult to determine when a single project may have been completed under the conventional method of funding. But with the 27 in 7 program, it's clear there have been significant time savings. For instance, the Interstate Program contained a number of widening projects and interchange improvements that would have taken up to 15 years to complete using the conventional method of funding. However by using the innovative funding of the 27 in 7 program these projects will be completed in 3 to 5 years. Some of those projects were widening of I-26 in Berkeley and Charleston County (10 miles), widening of I-85 in Anderson County (13.5 miles), improving the interchange at Ashley Phosphate and I-26, and improving the interchange at SC 6 and I-20. These four projects alone were budgeted at $187 million. Other projects that were accelerated due to the 27 in 7 program include: John N. Hardee / Airport Expressway in Lexington County McCray's Mill Road widening in Sumter County I-95 widening in Florence County US 521 widening in Clarendon and Sumter Counties SC 5 widening in York County Western Corridor Improvements in Greenville County SC 72 widening in Laurens and Abbeville Counties SC 81 widening from Iva to Starr

Despite a transportation funding crisis, SCDOT Executive Director Elizabeth S. Mabry found a way to move forward through an ambitious and innovative, accelerated construction program known as "27 in 7."

Because of her insight and creativity at a time when help to the road system could have stalled, Mrs. Mabry and all SCDOT employees won the Blue Granite Recognition, S.C. Sen. Phil Leventis announced today in North Charleston at a meeting of the S.C. Department of Transportation Commission.

Leventis presents the Recognition to Ms. Mabry.

"27 in 7, under the leadership of Ms. Mabry and carried out by the employees of the Department, has produced extraordinary results," Leventis said. "People are driving on better and safer roads today because of Ms. Mabry's leadership and the work of SCDOT employees. Things the Department has done under Ms. Mabry's leadership will touch millions of people including our residents as well as visitors and guests here in the Palmetto State. We should all be very proud that we have dedicated people who can get this program done."

The Blue Granite Recognition is a monthly program to highlight excellence achieved by South Carolina state employees. The Recognition, sponsored by the S.C. State Credit Union, is online at: www.bluegraniterecognition.org. The award is deemed a "recognition" because winners are not picked as a result of competitions. They are being recognized for the fine work they are doing as public employees.

OTHER WINNERS November 2005: David Fellows, Jutta Young September 2005: Sumter County DOT staff April 2004: Linda Nodine February 2004: SC Law Enforcement Officers December 2003: David Johnson September 2003: Richard Chesley August 2003: Paul Gowder July 2003: Walter Metz June 2003: SCDOT's Mabry May 2003: Rehabilitation Technology Program April 2003: SCETV

What others had to say

Several other state legislators said the recognition was well deserved:

• Wilkins: "The 27 in 7 program has a positive, statewide impact on our transportation infrastructure, which is critical to South Carolina's economic development," House Speaker David Wilkins said. "I commend Elizabeth Mabry and SCDOT for using innovation to accomplish 27 years of transportation projects in 7 years and offer my congratulations for receiving the Blue Granite Recognition."
  
  
• Townsend: State Rep. Ronny Townsend, who chairs the House Education and Public Works Committee, commented, "I would say Elizabeth Mabry has brought initiative to the DOT that's second to none in the country for being able to address transportation needs in South Carolina. We're very fortunate to have her expertise and talent as executive director of SCDOT."
  
  
• Ryberg: State Sen. Greg Ryberg, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, added: "I think it's wonderful we acknowledge Elizabeth and the agency. They certainly have proven very effective at doing more with less money."
  
  
• Leatherman: State Senator Hugh Leatherman, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said, "Elizabeth Mabry and her staff deserve this recognition. The citizens of the South Carolina can rest assured that through this department's innovation and hard work, their tax dollars are spent wisely and effectively. In tough times, it is nice to know we have true professionals in charge."
  

Prior recipients include employees at SCETV and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Blue Granite Recognition is sponsored by S.C. State Credit Union.