GCA Releases Report Comparing the Cost of a Gas Tax Increase to the Cost of Poor Roads

Today, The General Contractors Association of New York released The Invisible Tax of Inaction, which showed Americans in 49 out of 50 states pay far more money each year due to poor road conditions than they would from a 25-cent increase in gas tax.  Nationally 44 percent of America’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 9% of bridges are structurally deficient according to federal highway association state-by-state data compiled by TRIP, a national transportation research program. In fact, operating and repair costs averaged across all 50 states are on average $985.37 per household, which is 226% more than the $302.63 they would pay if there were a 25-cent gas tax increase. When you add it all up, U.S. motorists are forced to spend $120 billion each year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs amounting to an average of $553 per motorist.