Our roads and bridges are in dire need of repair and replacement at the same time as increased fuel efficiencies are cutting into highway fund revenues.
One of several solutions is a method called Public-Private Partnership agreements, (P-3) with private-sector entities that can bring badly needed capital to a public project. This of course would require a toll system that, while attractive for projects like the new Brent Spence bridge in Cincinnati has a downside. Toll payment presents affordability considerations for low income commuters going to and from places of low wage employment.
Technology is eliminating one of the major down sides of toll systems, collections. Dash mounted transponders and license plate readers coupled with automated billing are replacing traffic slowing and labor intensive toll booth collection.
The only other options are to increase to decades old gas tax of a flat18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline, 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel. Or, given the current anti tax mood in Washington, divert federal income tax revenue from other areas to te highway fund.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/05/18/highway-funds-from-federal-gas-tax-approach-empty.html Highway
funds from federal gas tax approach empty
WASHINGTON
— The fiscal cliff is gone, but a highway cliff has appeared on the
horizon. The federal highway trust fund — paid for with a federal
gasoline tax of 18.4 cents per gallon — is on track to dry up in
August, says the Congressional Budget Office, meaning the government
would run out of money to pay for maintaining and building highways.
Paul
Hunter budhunter@frontier.com
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