County Commission | The Magazine December 2018 | Page 25

FROM THE COVER
Most States Investing in Road Strong Earmarks Ensure
and Bridge Infrastructure
Gas Tax Spent on Roads
and Bridges
Since 2012, 37 state legislatures have voted to
boost funding for roads and bridges. In more than a
dozen of these states, legislators have passed more than
one infrastructure funding mechanism.
The trend holds steady among Alabama’s neighbors
in the southeastern United States. In fact, Alabama is
surrounded on three sides by states where lawmakers
have voted to increase funding for roads and bridges.
Source: Transportation Investment
Advocacy Center
New Funding for Roads and Bridges Since 2012
1 Legislatively-approved measure
1+ Legislatively-approved measure
Increased gas tax
Alabama’s system of roads and bridges is a $387
billion investment, and over the years, state leaders have
been very careful to ensure that the system’s funding
could not be diverted for other purposes.
Generally speaking, gas tax revenues can only be
used for construction, improvement, maintenance and
supervision of highways, bridges and streets.
But there are additional and
more specific earmarks that
apply to some proceeds that
make sure the spending is
balanced across a range
of expenses. Some
dollars can only be
used for resurfacing,
restoration and
rehabilitation of paved
county roads.
COUNTY COMMISSION | 25