Gov. Chris Christie defended his proposed 23-cent gas tax hike for New Jersey drivers on Wednesday, saying the state is "out of money" to pay for bridge and road improvement.

Christie, whose plan passed the Assembly Tuesday and faces a Thursday Senate vote, called on the entire state Legislature to pass the proposal that includes a 1 percent reduction in the state sales tax, which critics say could blow a $1.7 billion hole in the budget. The governor shot back at state Senate critics who ripped the plan, saying he "met the deadline" for replenishing the state's Transportation Trust Fund by July 1 and "now it's time for them to do the work" and pass it.

Democratic Sen. Loretta Weinberg, the majority leader, said during a Statehouse press conference Wednesday that she can't support a plan that cuts $1.7 billion in revenue from the $34.8 billion state budget. She said the Democratic Senate leadership is "united" in opposing the plan. Read more: Fate Of Christie-Backed 23-Cent Gas Tax Hike Is Uncertain, Senate Democrats Say

Christie, speaking during a town hall meeting and at a Wednesday press conference, noted the state's gas tax has not been raised since 1988, and New Jersey has the second lowest gas tax in America. He said it's "shocking that we have a tax that low, but we do." By fixing the roads, Christie said the average New Jersey driver would see a potential reduction in car repair costs of $600 while they'll pay $100 more a year for gas, saying: "We need to spend this money to repair our roads and bridges."

"Here is the problem, though: We're out of money. We're out of money," Christie said. "I cannot borrow any more money to try to do roads because all of the money that I collect in gas tax now, starting on July 1, is spent to pay for the debt that we've run up to pay for the roads over the last 25 years. So we needed to come up with some kind of solution." Read more: N.J. Lawmakers Pass Christie-Backed 23-Cent Gas Tax Hike, Set To Take Effect Friday The gas tax funds the Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for capital reconstruction and repair of roads and bridges, many of which have fallen into disrepair over the past 20 years. In a 2006 state study, more than half of the state's drawbridges received low safety ratings. The 84-year-old Pulaski Skyway, whose design is considered unsafe, is currently being repaired and replaced. The $1.5 billion project is expected to be completed by 2020.