Republican Gov. Nikki Haley has been meeting with some GOP House members — as recently as Tuesday at the Governor’s Mansion — in an effort to merge two competing road repair proposals.

Haley’s plan to fix S.C. roads and a proposal by state representatives had appeared to be on course for a head-on crash. But the two bills soon may become one vehicle, aimed at repairing and maintaining the state’s roads.

In meetings with House GOP caucus members, Haley has indicated a willingness to compromise on gas tax hikes, the size of a cut in the state’s income tax and how to restructure the state Transportation Department.

“She gets a lot of grief from time to time that it’s her way or the highway … but she has shown me a great willingness to work with the Legislature, which is something I haven’t seen in my 10 years in office (from a governor),” said state Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland, a Haley ally.

For instance, Ballentine said Haley told GOP legislators that she would accept a slightly smaller income tax cut — to 5.5 percent — than the 2 percentage point cut to 5 percent that she originally proposed.

House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, said Haley has been discussing what a roads plan should look like with many House members before a proposal is sent to the state Senate.

“She is advocating for the strongest bill that she can get out of the House,” he said.