Questions and Answers

Q: What states are seeking additional highway revenues in 2007?

A: Arizona U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters (former director of the Arizona Department of Transportation) urged Arizona to look into the option of toll roads constructed by the private sector as a source of funding. The revenues generated from the toll roads could be used to maintain and develop new roads in the state. Another option Arizona is considering is the use of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to help reduce highway congestion. The revenue from the fees charged to single-occupant motor vehicles using the HOV lanes would also be used for local road funding.

Pennsylvania State lawmakers are looking into the option of raising the state’s gas tax. In November 2006, the Transportation and Funding Commission identified actions that need to be taken to solve the state’s transportation needs. State officials do not see a drastic increase in the state’s gas tax in the coming months, but do recognize the need to periodically increase the gas tax to keep up with road maintenance and development. Currently, the state’s gas tax is 31.2 cents per gallon.

Louisiana More than a year after Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana lawmakers are still looking for ways to rebuild the state’s damaged infrastructure. Due to a $12 million backlog of state highway projects, state lawmaker David Vitter believes toll roads are the most practical way to ensure the projects get done. Gov. Blanco, however, wants to explore other options because of the economic burden toll roads would place on the local drivers. Both Gov. Blanco and Vitter agree that in the crowded northwest roads of Louisiana, toll roads may be a positive way of not only financing highways, but also a way to ease congestion.

West Virginia Poor road conditions and a backlog of highway projects are being blamed on highway funding shortages. The state receives about $50 million a year in highway funding, but has 170 pending priority pending that total more than $20 billion. Most of the state revenue comes directly from the state gas tax and motor vehicle registration fees. A report outlining a review of the funding issue was recently provided to the West Virginia legislature.