It's always been a bit
It's always been a bit ilxepnicable to me how much of the rest of the world has managed to put $3-4-5 tax on gasoline but in this country we've not even been able to index the existing Federal one to inflation although several States have.It's been more than 20 years that the Fed tax has been adjusted for inflation as well as a number of statesAs a result after paying for maintenance and operations there is very little money left over for new projects.More and more new projects will be toll projects including HOT Lanes in the congested urban areas.HOT Lanes are thought by many to be a "better" direct user fee than gas taxes which don't differentiate where and when you drive - which also has a cost - congestion which is computed out at a cost in time.The other "innovation" in toll roads is that of late - a given toll road does not have to stand alone on it's toll revenues.It can be subsidized by other, more lucrative toll roads.The more lucrative toll roads are also being used to subsidize transit as the Dulles Toll Road in DC is being used as a cash-cow to finance the METRO extension to the airport and the HOT lanes on the beltway and I-95 will use tolls to fund METRO and other mass transit such as commuter rail.