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Gas tax bump kicks in Monday for South Carolina drivers

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — Over the last two weeks, the price of gas climbed more than 25 cents a gallon in South Carolina. If you live or drive in the Palmetto State, you'll pay two cents more per gallon on top of that beginning Monday.

It's all part of the six-year gas tax hike the state is right in the middle of implementing.

In 2017 state lawmakers passed a controversial gas tax hike, with a veto-proof majority. Gov. Henry McMaster opposed the tax increase. It raises the price per gallon two cents a year for six years. The 12-cent hike is aimed at raising hundreds of millions of dollars to repair crumbling roads and bridges statewide.

So far, roughly $200 million has been set aside for road projects. South Carolina Department of Transportation officials originally put a price tag of $1 billion on the state's infrastructure needs.

Officials said it'll take a decade to bring roads and bridges up to standard.

Before the 2017 increase, the gas tax hadn't been raised in 30 years. The gas tax will jump again, by two cents beginning July 1. It will increase by two cents each year until 2022.

The gas tax is already benefiting York County. Officials said there has been $3.5 million for completed projects and another $14 million coming.

Surrounding counties, however, are seeing less than $200,000 in completed projects.

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