At the beginning of the year, folks filling up at the pumps in South Carolina started paying more money.
That’s because lawmakers raised the gas tax by two cents over the next six years to fix crumbling roads throughout the Palmetto State.
Those who travel on South Carolina roadways say they are in rough shape.
“I’ve hit potholes before,” said Jered Cundiff from Fort Mill. “You got to take it in to get an alignment or you’ll have to replace tire after tire.”
According to data from the South Carolina Department of Transportation obtained by NBC Charlotte, the state ranked number one for fatal crashes on the road. Interstates have not been widened in a decade, and there are 750 structurally deficient bridges across the state.
Officials are now starting to identify the roads and bridges in desperate need of repairing. Over the next decade, SCDOT said the extra money from the gas tax will go toward resurfacing roads and replacing bridges.
21 bridges will be repaired over the next 10 years. There are also plans in the works to improve U.S. 321 in Clover, S.C. 5 in York near Kinglet Drive and Old Nation Road in Fort Mill.
“This makes me happy, said Cundiff. “The less potholes the better.”
Interstates are also a part of SCDOT’s 10 year vision for repairs. The only three on the list right now are I-26, I-20 and I-85.
I-77 may eventually become a priority but officials say not before they begin working on I-95.