Gasoline now averages $2.86 per gallon. That includes about $0.18 in federal taxes. The president's debt commission is proposing an additional tax that would raise the price another $0.15. In this economy drivers are hurting but so are the roads.

The Challenge: How to maintain America's deteriorating freeways, bridges and transit systems without driving the federal deficit further into the ditch.

CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports the country's interstates and urban transit are supported by a federal gas tax, adding $0.18 per gallon to gas many Americans find too high already.

"It's just getting really expensive," says a driver.

The gas tax raised $30 billion last year. The government spent almost $38 billion on highway construction and maintenance. Congress had to pump in $7 billion, adding to the deficit.

Why the shortfall? When the tax was revved up in 1956 Americans were driving gas guzzlers. Now we're more fuel efficient with hybrids on the road, electric cars in showrooms.

In this recession, Americans are driving less, 14.7 billion fewer miles than 2006. Brandi Hall used to drive 100 miles round trip to work. Because of high gas prices she now takes the train.

"I did the calculations and I probably save between $200 and $300 a month," she says.

It's all good for the environment but buying less gas means fewer tax dollars for highways and transit.

The Choices:
There are three choices and they're tough:

1) Do nothing and continue deficit spending;

2) Sharply cut funding, putting our infrastructure at risk;

3) As the presidential deficit commission proposes, raise the gas tax as much as $0.15 per gallon to fund our transportation needs.

"Don't raise gas," says Hall. "Come on!"

If we don't, expect highway and transit funds to fall $34 billion short over the next six years, 2.3 percent of the current federal deficit.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/12/02/eveningnews/main7111783.shtml

Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) Managing Director Brent Bair has published his latest video blog. In this blog, he explains why motorists should expect a reduced level of plowing/salting service on Oakland's roads this winter.

Nearly 100 bridges in mid-Michigan-- bridges that hover over some of our busiest highways and roads-- are in dire need of repair. That's according to a new report from MDOT.

"It's a little scary. It's something you don't want to be thinking about as you're driving over bridges we have in the area," says Lansing resident Tiana Hawver.

The annual report released Thursday points out some major deficiencies in our local bridges. At least 97 bridges in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton and Jackson counties are considered either "structurally deficient"-- which means they need repairs now, or "functionally obsolete"-- which means they are outdated.

A repeat offender? The bridge on Lake Lansing Road that goes over US-127. MDOT tells us they're trying their best to do maintenance to bridges that keep making the list. But with a $320 million shortfall, it's hard to stretch current funds to repair all the bridges, says spokesman Bill Shreck.

Currently, Ingham County has 45 total bridges in need of some sort of repair. Jackson County has 26, while Eaton has 16 and Clinton has 10. Drivers we spoke to Thursday say this news is enough to make them take action.

"I think I would contact my congressman or representative to argue the point," says Millard Sivak.

"i'm hoping they're working on fixing those, but I also realize it takes money to do that," Hawver says.

http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Local_Bridges_In_Need_Of_Repair_104988069.html
 

Brent Bair's video blog about state transportation funding crisis.

http://www.rcocweb.org/Pages/Videos.aspx

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/03/eveningnews/main6833955.shtml

Despite challenging economic times, Michigan voters stepped up on Aug. 3 to demonstrate their financial support for local road improvements and public transportation systems

According to a post-election analysis by the Center for Michigan, voters approved 85 percent of the 136 road repair millage requests from local governments across Michigan. That support was only exceeded by voter support for fire services. Voters even approved 60 percent of the millage requests seeking new money for road improvements.

The Michigan Legislature, which continues to keep the state’s surface transportation network on a starvation diet, could learn a lesson from voters who showed they get it – that money spent on roads is an important economic development tool.

“We are hopeful that in the lame-duck session after the Nov. 2 election, lawmakers will finally come to their senses and recognize that the time is now to find a sustainable revenue stream to maintain our system of roads and bridges,” said Mike Nystrom, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association.

“More than ever, Michigan needs to attract new businesses and the jobs they bring, but deteriorating roads hardly give business much of an incentive to say yes to Michigan.”

Voters also generously supported public transit at the polls. Exhibit One: The overwhelming support of the SMART bus transportation property tax millage in Metro Detroit. Support ranged from 78 percent of the voters in Oakland County to 72 percent support in Macomb County.

Congressman Jim Oberstar talked about the future of transportation on PBS program on August 28, 2009. The discussion is still relevant today.