Governor McMaster and other state leaders broke ground on a massive interstate upgrade Monday afternoon.

"I used to take that route and it's just stopped sometimes," said Jamie Areheart.

Areheart is no stranger to Malfunction Junction, the daily traffic mess on 1-20, 1-26 and 1-126 where Richland and Lexington counties come together.

"I had to leave an hour early for work or an hour later," said Areheart.

McMaster and other state leaders broke ground on a $1.7 billion infrastructure plan Monday, hoping to help ease congestion from the more than 134,000 cars that pass through the area every day.

McMaster says the project is all part of the state's rapid growth.

"We are booming and we are going to boom more in the next 10 years," said McMaster.

LOCAL FIRST | SC Christmas tree arrives at State House

Meanwhile, state Democrats say McMaster vetoed funding for these improvements. The plan is partially funded by a 2017 state gas tax increase.

This project is set to be complete in 2029 and officials said crews will mostly work at night to keep down on even more congestion.