These states say declining motor fuel tax revenue collections due to reduced traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting transportation construction and repair projects:
- The Missouri Department of Transportation (MDOT) has delayed bidding on five projects totaling almost $45 million, and expects state transportation funds to be halved. Read more>>
- In Texas, the state’s gas tax and oil and gas production tax receipts have also declined due to low traffic volume and low demand, further reducing revenue for transportation projects. Read more>>
- Arizona Department of Transportation Chief Financial Officer, Kristine Ward, estimated that revenues for highway construction will be reduced by $385 million over the next three years. Read more>>
A high-speed rail project connecting Nevada and California is back on track with the approval of $600 million in tax-exempt bonds to market $2.4 billion in private equity bonds. The project is scheduled to begin by the end of this year, pending the approval of $200 million of bonds in Nevada. Read more>>
Maine voters July 14 will decide a transportation ballot measure to borrow $105 million for highway, bridge, and multimodal improvements. The bond would match an estimated $275 million in federal and other funds. Read more>>
In California, two half-cent sales tax increase measures are awaiting another round of approval. If placed on the ballot and passed by voters, an Elk Grove measure would fund an $8.4-billion transportation expenditure plan over the next 40 years, and a Placer County measure could raise approximately $1.2 billion for transportation over a 30 years. Read more>>
Also, in California, a campaign to expand bus and trolley service with a tax hike on the November ballot was disbanded as political and transportation leaders focus on maintaining transit services. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has lost about $135 million in revenue largely due to a sharp drop in ticket sales and lower sales tax revenue. Read more>>