Wyoming Governor Matt Mead signed into law Friday a bill that increases the state’s fuel tax by a dime to 24-cents per gallon for gasoline and diesel.

Mead has been pushing for a new source of funding for the Wyoming Department of Transportation since he took office two years ago, saying the state can no longer afford to subsidize the transportation department from general funds.

In remarks at Friday’s signing ceremony, Mead said road maintenance will to continue to be a long-term need in the state because the state’s highway system is vital to economic development.

The tax hike will raise about $70 million a year for street and road projects after it takes effect on July 1. The Wyoming transportation department will get about two thirds of that with the rest going to local governments.