The Union County maintenance office of the South Carolina Department of Transportation — located at 1450 Furman-Fendley Highway — has a new Resident Maintenance Engineer.

Phil Hinson started his duties as the new maintenance engineer last month and is glad to be overseeing DOT maintenance for Union County.

Hinson is in charge of maintenance of all state-owned properties in Union County such as roads, bridges, vegetation, signs, new construction, etc. He said many people might not be aware Union County is divided into three entities: State, county and municipality. SCDOT is only responsible for state-owned properties. For example, it is Hinson and his staff’s responsibility to maintain all bridges in Union County with the exception of only a few, which are owned by the county.

Hinson grew up in Charleston and worked for the City of Rock Hill for 18 years prior to working for the SCDOT. He began work at the SCDOT office in Chester for District 4, which covers seven counties — including Union — where he was the district’s Pavements and Contracts Manager. His duties at that time included prioritizing contracts for resurfacing roads.

He is now pleased to have the maintenance position in Union County.

"I’ve found that I like the people in Union as much as the job," Hinson said. "Working in York County was a little faster-paced and more impersonal. I enjoy a more family-oriented setting where I can meet and get to know the people here."

Hinson is appreciative of this opportunity and hopes to meet all expectations.

"I have a great team and my job would be much more difficult without the support of the qualified people here," he said.

He looks forward to working with other government agencies to aid and assist them while counting on their support as well. Hinson also is dedicated to making improvements to the county’s infrastructure.

"We will improve and maintain the infrastructure throughout Union County to the highest degree available to our resources," Hinson said.