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:
- Michigan transportation experts estimated an 8.5 percent decline in transportation revenues for the current fiscal year due to decreased traffic volumes. State Department of Transportation Communications Director Jeff Cranson said existing cash flow will sustain current projects but planned 2021 projects might be reduced. Read more>>
- In Alabama, Jefferson County Deputy Infrastructure Manager Cal Markert said a 25 percent decline in gas tax collections has not impacted current projects but could reduce the funding and scale of 2021 transportation plans. Read more>>
- The Maryland Department of Transportation estimated that transportation revenues will decline by $550 million this fiscal year and by $490 million to $560 million next fiscal year. Read more>>
- New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Patrick Foye said the agency will run out of money in August if the U.S. Senate does not approve an economic stimulus to provide about $3.9 billion to the agency. MTA has already received $3.8 billion from a $2 trillion stimulus package in March. Read more>>
- New Mexico state Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-55) said the reallocation of $75 million from road funding to the state general fund will not affect ongoing projects in southeast New Mexico. Read more>>
- The North Carolina General Assembly approved a measure to cut over $600 million in state transportation department spending during the next fiscal year. State Auditor Beth Wood recently calculated that the agency overspent by $740 million last year. Read more>>