An association representing state transportation officials is calling on Congress to increase transportation spending by 91 percent over the next few years.

The American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials, representing officials from all 50 states, says federal transportation spending should be increased from the 2005 mark of $286 billion to $545 billion in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.

AASHTO issued the request Monday, Oct. 20, on a premise that current funding levels will not even come close to transportation and infrastructure needs of the next five or six years.

Fuel tax revenue going into the Highway Trust Fund, the largest source for surface transportation programs, continues to decline as highway users travel fewer miles and demand has increased for vehicles that burn less fuel.

AASHTO’s outgoing president, Missouri Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn, has said Congress will have some tough decisions to make during the reauthorization period, Congressional Quarterly reported. Congestion, the environment and freight movement will all be big issues.

Rahn completed his term as president this week. AASHTO members elected Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler as their new president.

AASHTO officials suggested funding options for Congress to choose from, totaling $1.3 trillion.

Suggestions include a fuel-tax increase of 1 cent per gallon; a 1 percent federal sales tax on motor fuels; a $10 fee on every intermodal container received at a U.S. port; a national vehicle sales tax of 1 percent; $50 billion in transportation bonds; and the introduction of fees assessed on vehicle miles traveled, also known as a VMT fee or tax.

AASHTO officials said a VMT tax of 1 cent per mile traveled by passenger vehicles would raise $32.4 billion. VMT taxes for commercial vehicles would be based on weight and miles and could raise $42.8 billion per year, officials said.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate will begin drafting the next surface transportation funding reauthorization bill sometime in 2009.

The current bill, known as SAFETEA-LU or the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users, officially expires in September 2009.

– By David Tanner, staff writer
david_tanner@landlinemag.com