WHAT DO OKLAHOMA ROADS LOOK LIKE?
Dozens of state and county bridges need repair or replacement.
Thousands of highway miles are rated
critical or inadequate.
Hundreds of two lane narrow highways exist that are 56% more likely to cause accidents.
Too many wood bridges are still in use,
many over 80 years old.
WHAT'S THE
PROBLEM?
FUNDING. OKLAHOMAS PAY MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN ROAD TAXES AND FEES EACH YEAR.
But for decades far less of these tax dollars make their way back to state bridges and highways. Funding for Oklahoma’s surface transportation system was stagnant for more than 30 years. In fact, Oklahoma spent more money in 1985 than in 2004 to maintain its bridge and highway infrastructure. During that same 30 years, traffic on state highways increased 50% and the cost to build and maintain roads increased 75%.
Thankfully, the Oklahoma Legislature has provided significant increases to transportation funding over the last 14 years, providing over $1 billion through 2020 in additional dedicated funding. This has allowed Oklahoma to address a large abundance of its most critical transportation needs, however Oklahoma still has billions of dollars in unfunded bridge and highway projects.
HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE PROBLEM?
FUNDING
At nearly $50 billion, Oklahoma’s surface transportation system is the state’s largest and most valued asset.
We must protect our bridge and highway infrastructure by continued investment so that Oklahoma can continue to progress economically within the region and the United States.
This will take continued significant appropriations from a dedicated source such as the ROADS fund as well as dedicating more transportation-generated revenues such as motor fuel and license fees, to transportation construction and maintenance programs.
Since its founding, TRUST has insisted that all motor vehicle fees currently diverted to the general revenue fund be dedicated entirely to transportation-related needs.
OKLAHOMA ROAD FUNDING
TAXES & FEES
Oklahomans pay more than $1.6 billion annually in road taxes and fees.
These are taxes and fees paid to the state to legally drive on roads or to properly operate a motor vehicle.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN SOURCES OF ROAD TAXES & FEES:
Motor Vehicle License and Tag Fees
State Fuel Taxes and Fees
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF ROAD SYSTEMS
THAT THESE FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO:
State Transportation System
(Highways & Interstates)
County
Road Systems
Municipal
Road Systems
Until 2005, state roads and bridges historically received approximately $200 million annually of total road taxes and fees.
Beginning in 2005, the Governor and Legislature made transportation a core priority and provided significant increases to transportation from other sources of revenue.
Approximately 1% goes to State Highways & Bridges
Approximately 32% of MVR (Motor Vehicle Revenue) goes to the
General Revenue Fund and other Non-Transportation purposes.
Approximately 35% goes to Public Schools
Approximately 21% goes to County & Municipal Roads
More than 65% of Motor Vehicle Fees are diverted to
non-transportation purposes.
Oklahoma highways receive approximately 90% of Fuel Taxes and Fees.
Other portions are either diverted to the general revenue fund or are specifically allocated to non-transportation purposes.
During the 20 year period of stagnant funding (1985-2005)
inflation increased 75% and daily miles traveled on state roads increased 50%.
ODOT (Oklahoma Department of Transportation)
currently has several billion of dollars in backlogged repairs and maintenance projects.
The average cost to replace a bridge is $2.2 million.
The average cost to repair a bridge is $270,000.
STATE HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES HAVE TWO BASIC SOURCES OF FUNDING
FEDERAL
Federal funding is provided by an annual transportation bill appropriated by Congress.
STATE
Oklahoma is believed to be the only state that does not match federal funds with state funds.
Information provided by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration
