A panel appointed by Gov. James McGreevey likely will request an increase in New Jersey’s fuel tax to fund repairs and improvements to the state’s roads, according to published reports.

“Most likely there will be a recommendation,” McGreevey said on Millennium Radio. “I don’t know the specific amount.”

The governor, however, refused to reveal whether he would support a tax hike, The Associated Press reported. He also declined to say whether he thought the tax should be raised to fund road and bridge upgrades.

According to The Express-Times, some estimate the tax increase would range from 5 to15 cents per gallon. The diesel fuel tax now is 17.5 cents a gallon. The gas tax is 10.5 cents.

The existing $3.75 billion fund for roadwork expires in June, putting the state in a time crunch to find more money.

McGreevey has said he will push to find a way to completely finance the state’s Transportation Trust Fund.

In January, the governor commissioned a panel to examine the state road system and the funds needed to maintain it. That report is expected to be complete in several weeks, AP reported.

Legislative leaders have said they are open to discussing the fuel tax increase before the session ends in January.