Poll Shows Support for Highways – No Consensus on Revenue Source

 A new AP-GfK poll finds that six in 10 Americans think the economic benefits of good highways, railroads and airports outweigh the cost to taxpayers. Yet the poll shows there is no consensus on how to pay for needed improvements and upkeep. Among those who drive multiple times per week, 62 percent say the benefits outweigh the costs. Among those who drive less than once a week or not at all, 55 percent say the costs of road improvement are worthwhile. Despite this support, however, the public is divided over how to address the Highway Trust Fund shortfall. The poll asked about four options to address revenue needs including: gas tax increase, public private partnerships supported by tolls, turn the federal program back to the states or replace the gas tax with a distance based fee. Support for shifting more responsibility for paying for transportation to state and local government was supported by only 30 percent. A distance based fee was supported by 20 percent. A gas tax increase received supported from only 14 percent of those polled. Opposition was strongest for the gas tax (58 percent) and tolls (46 percent).