 Southern
Connector FAQ's
(
Click here for Palmetto
Pass FAQ's )
How long
is the Southern Connector?
The road is approximately 16 miles in length.
How does
Greenville benefit from the Southern Connector?
The money raised by the sale of bonds to build the Southern
Connector, and the tolls collected on the Southern
Connector, served as Greenville County’s ability to receive
matching Federal Highway money. Projects such as
the widening of I-385, the reconstruction of SC 20, and
various bridge and highway rehabilitation projects are
possible primarily because of the Southern Connector.
Is the
Connector a privately owned road?
No. The Southern Connector is officially designated as
Interstate 185 Toll. The road was privately financed, but it
is not privately owned. The tolls collected on the Connector
will go to satisfy the bonds, which financed the road. The
tolls also pay SCDOT for all road maintenance, including
snow removal and grass cutting.
Are
South Carolina taxpayers supporting the Southern Connector?
No tax dollars were spent building the Southern Connector.
It was financed solely through the sale of bonds. Tolls
collected on the Southern Connector are used to maintain the
road and satisfy the bond obligations. The state of South
Carolina Department of Transportation owns and maintains the
Southern Connector. All maintenance costs are paid out of
toll revenues. No tax dollars have ever been spent on this
project.
How much
time will I save by using the Southern Connector?
The amount of time you save will depend on when you use the
Connector. During morning and evening rush hours, the time
savings will be more substantial.
Why do I
have to pay tolls twice if I use the entire road? Why not
pay at one end only?
The Southern Connector was designed with three exits between
each toll plaza. Those using the entire road are charged the
full amount, which means paying two tolls. It would be unfair to charge full toll to a
motorist who only wanted to get on the Connector at the East
Plaza and exit the Connector at Augusta Road. We believe the
current collection method is the most equitable way to
collect tolls based on road usage.
I
recently used the Connector and had no cash to pay my toll.
I filled out a Pledge To Pay Form. Can I fulfill my
obligation to pay the proper toll online?
Yes, please visit our online
Pledge Payment Form at www.southernconnector.com and you will be able to use your
credit card to satisfy your obligation. Or return your
portion of the form to us with a check or money order (no
cash, please). Our mailing address is P.O. Box 408,
Piedmont, SC 29673. In all cases, you will have 30 days to
remit payment to us. After 30 days, administrative fees will
be added to the toll due. Pledge to Pay Toll forms are
issued as a courtesy to our customers. In all cases no more
than 2 (two) Pledge to Pay Toll forms will be issued per
person, per year.
What is
the speed limit on the Connector?
The posted speed limit is 65 miles per hour on the road. At
the mainline toll plazas, vehicles using the PalPass only
lane must observe a 45 MPH speed limit. All vehicles using
the cash lanes must stop, regardless of the method of
payment.
How do
you enforce toll violations?
All toll lanes are monitored by video surveillance
equipment. Images of license plates of toll violators are
processed and violation notices are issued. Violators can
expect fines and/or administrative fees to range from $11.00
up to $233.00, plus court costs. Toll evasion is a crime and
we take our responsibility of enforcing the law seriously.
Toll violations must be settled within specific time frames.
Please call our Violations Department at 864-527-2155 should
you have questions regarding violation notices.
Does the
Southern Connector accept money orders, checks, Travelers
Checks, credit cards or debit cards for payment of cash
tolls?
No. With the exception of Palmetto Pass Account Holders
opening or replenishing their accounts, all tolls must be
paid with cash.
Is there
a number I can call if I have any more questions?
Yes. The direct local number to
our Customer Service Center is 864-527-2143 or 2144.
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