State DOTs Request $50 Billion In Emergency Relief Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
April 08, 2020
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take hold over our nation, state departments of transportation (DOT) are beginning to see a dramatic revenue loss as Americans stay in quarantine. To combat these losses, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) urged Congress this week to provide $50 billion in......
Massive, bipartisan transportation package approved in Illinois
June 07, 2019
Illinois has just made giant strides in modernizing the state’s surface transportation—it became the fourth state of 2019 to increase its gas tax. Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) signed into law a 19-cent per gallon gas tax increase, doubling the previous rate to a total of 38 cents per gallon, as part of a $45 billion......
Analysis of Federal Bridge Data Confirms ASCE Report Card Bridge Grade
February 02, 2018
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) released its Bridge Report based on the data in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 2017 National Bridge Inventory database. ARTBA’s Bridge Report confirms the “C+” grade given in ASCE’s 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Both reports illustrate that while the overall number of bridges deemed structurally deficient......
New Report Helps State Legislators Better Understand P3s
August 08, 2017
Public-private partnerships (P3s) are increasingly becoming a recognized and tapped tool in the toolbox to fund infrastructure investments. While the early adopter states have many P3 ventures under their belts, others are still navigating the process of how to structure an effective P3. To help further the conversation, the National Conference of State Legislatures released......
South Carolina Legislature Says “Yes” to Gas Tax Increase
May 10, 2017
For the first time in 30 years South Carolina will increase its gas tax. With a resounding veto override South Carolina joins California, Indiana, Montana, and Tennessee as the 5th state to raise the gas tax in 2017 and 22nd state since 2013. The package was a few legislative sessions in the making and the......
States Approve Major Transportation Packages
April 25, 2017
States are once again forging their own pathways to fund their roads and bridge programs. In the meantime, four more states (California, Indiana, Montana and Tennessee) join the 19 others that have increased or modified their gas taxes to increase revenue since 2013. In each state the gas tax increase was just one piece of......
Infrastructure Issues Kick Off 2017 State Legislative Sessions
January 09, 2017
By the end of this week 40 states will have begun their legislative sessions. With it comes the pomp and circumstance of swearing in ceremonies, gubernatorial inaugurations, committee assignments and, most importantly, settling in to do great work for the people of their state. As we’ve previously looked at states gearing up to make major......
State Gear Up to Tackle Road Funding in 2017
December 01, 2016
Over the past three years, 17 states have increased their gas tax to generate additional revenue for surface transportation. In almost every state the recent increase was the first in nearly two decades. Even with the passages of last year’s FAST Act, states are still facing uncertainty when it comes to funding sources. Cars are......
Infrastructure Gets a Win on Election Night
November 10, 2016
As in years past, transportation was again the prevailing theme on ballots in most every state. It was not only a time for states to take the temperature of the public on this critical issue but, also create new revenue streams and secure existing ones. Here’s what the election night returns said: Illinois and New......
Head to the Polls and Elect to Fund Infrastructure
November 07, 2016
This election season ASCE has been monitoring state and local ballot measures across at least five states. The issues covered include everything from general infrastructure funding to transit to state parks. Transportation funding is one area that can expect to generate the most new revenue from Tuesday’s elections. In fact, so far this year 55......