General Studies
- The Texas Department of Transportation developed a methodology for determining the
proportion of road costs covered by fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees. The Highway
Construction Equity Gap (2008) examines seven highway segments from 2009 to 2044
and forecasts that revenues would cover between 13 and 93% of costs, with an average of
34%, at present tax levels. State motor fuel taxes would need to be increased by between
$0.08 and $4.73 per gallon, with an average value of $2.35, to cover 100% of costs.
Routine maintenance costs are estimates at $4,400 per lane mile with a 6% annual growth
factor. Note that this study covers selected highway segments only and does not claim to
be representative of the state highway network as a whole.