Fuel taxes in more US states to fund roads

Four more US states are set to increase fuel taxes to support new transportation investments, According to a new report from the American Road Transport Builders Association (ARTBA). This new analysis shows little political fallout from fuel tax rises for transport development. And 91% of legislators who supported an increased fuel tax were re-elected during the next general election; while 98 % of lawmakers won their 2016 primary race. This was an examination of more than 2,500 state legislators from 16 st
May 3, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Four more US states are set to increase fuel taxes to support new transportation investments, According to a new report from the American Road Transport Builders Association (ARTBA). This new analysis shows little political fallout from fuel tax rises for transport development. And 91% of legislators who supported an increased fuel tax were re-elected during the next general election; while 98 % of lawmakers won their 2016 primary race. This was an examination of more than 2,500 state legislators from 16 states.


The analysis, from the 920 American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC), comes as legislators in four states—Tennessee, Montana, California and Indiana—have voted this month to increase their state gas tax to support new transportation improvements. The respective governors of each state are expected to sign the measures. It brings to 21 the number of states that have increased fuel taxes since 2013.

For Republican state legislators who supported a fuel tax increase, 95% were re-elected, the same re-election rate as those officials who voted against the fuel tax increase. Democrats who voted for a gas tax increase were re-elected at 89%, compared to 86% who voted against the same legislation.

"The voters in these states understand that lawmakers are showing political will to increase resources for transportation investment. For the majority of these states, their gas tax had not been raised in over 15 years," said ARTBA chief economist Dr Alison Premo Black. "It is now up to Congress and the Trump administration to address the stability of the Highway Trust Fund, which provides revenue for over half of all state highway program capital outlays."

Finance & Funding

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • A free bridge? You’ve got to be kidding.
    February 18, 2015
    Nothing will stop construction of another bridge crossing the Detroit River to ease traffic congestion around North America’s most important economic border. The New International Trade Crossing will be entirely financed and owned by the Canadian government under a public private partnership. It will link the US city of Detroit, in the state of Michigan, with the Canadian city of Windsor in the province of Ontario. The two cities already have the toll road Ambassador Bridge as well as a toll road tunnel and
    Read More
  • The European Road Infrastructure Congress 2016: innovative thinking
    October 18, 2016
    ERIC 2016, the first European Road Infrastructure Congress, has called on the region’s governments to come together and work more imaginatively with the private sector to bring about a safer and more effective highway network. Speaking at the congress’ opening ceremony, FIA president Jean Todt said that if the EU is serious about improving its road safety record, it is essential to develop a high quality highway infrastructure as quickly as possible. Todt (who is also the United Nations special envoy
    Read More
  • US: Missouri state bridge repairs run out of gas
    September 11, 2015
    The US state of Missouri said it is fighting a losing battle to maintain its 641 bridges that are listed in critical condition - one-step away from being closed to traffic. Engineers in the southern state’s department of transportation said around US$820 million is needed to repair or replace the 641 bridges, three of which were closed to traffic last year. The critical list has expanded with the addition of 50 more bridges since last year. And the critical list is expected to grow to around 1,500 bri
    Read More
  • Safer highway and bridge construction in the US
    May 21, 2025
    New data from ARTBA reveals safer highway and bridge construction in the US.
    Read More

Highlighted Content