South Carolina State Highway Department v. Carodale Associates

Ness, Justice:

This is an appeal involving the condemnation of less than one-half acre of land (.47 acres) by the appellant South Carolina State Highway Department. The Board of Condemnation awarded $14,000.00 and the landowner appealed. A trial de novo resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the landowner in the amount of $117,000.00. We find reversible error of law necessitating a new trial.

The landowner’s property was acquired for an exit ramp off Interstate No. 77 being constructed in Richland County. A portion of U. S. Highway No. 1, fronting on the landowner’s property prior to the…