Rural America faces a $211 billion transportation backlog according to TRIP, The Road Information Program. Its lates research shows conditions will be exacerbated by declines in revenue associated with COVID-19. Read more>>

 

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 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is projected to lose up to $900 million due to declining gas tax revenue, says Acting Secretary Yassmin Gramian. The agency only has enough funding for about a third of this season’s contracts, while the rest are being re-evaluated. Light traffic is also projected to cost the reduce toll revenue by $400 million to $500 million in toll revenue. Read more>>

 

  • New Jersey’s gas tax revenue has declined by $35 million according to the state Treasury. If gas tax collections go down state law requires the gas tax to increase, and vice versa. Read more>>

 

  • Certain Iowa road projects may be delayed over the next five years due to revenue declines during the pandemic and a sharp increase in 2019 construction costs, say transportation officials. The state is estimated to lose $35 million a month if current traffic levels continue. Read more>>

 

  • Washington State Department of Transportation Administrator Mike Gribner estimates the agency could lose up to $100 million per month. This potential loss is due to pandemic related revenue declines and tax cuts implemented by a recent ballot measure, Initiative 976. Read more>>

 

  • Michigan lost an estimated $20 million less in March transportation revenue and April losses are expected to be worse once calculated, according to State Rep. Jack O’Malley (R – 101). Read more>>

 

  • The Colorado Transportation Department says it could lose $50 million if the agency doesn’t receive a transfer meant to help the agency pay its long-term debt obligations. Read more>>

 

  • The Maine Department of Transportation says it expects a $125 million decline in revenue over the next 18 months for the state’s Highway Fund. Maine’s annul highway budget is already about $232 million lower than normal to meet the backlog of projects. The department received $17 million from the federal CARES Act, but this funding cannot cover revenue shortfalls. Read more>>

 

  • South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Secretary Christy Hall said gasoline wholesalers have been deferring gas tax payments amid the pandemic. Hall said no road and bridge projects have been impacted by the revenue deferral. Read more>>