Funding for state highways, county roads and city streets is based on a basic formula that was put in place in 1921. This 89-year-old formula relies on a mix of user fees (like car and truck registration fees), and motor fuel taxes charged by the gallon, at the pump.

Motor Fuel Taxes	User-Fee Revenues (2009)
Gasoline (21.5¢ per gal.)	$298.2m
Diesel (22.5¢ per gal.)	$128.3m
LPG/CNG (16.5¢/5¢ per gal.)	$0.1m
Registration Fees
Cars and Pick-Ups	$49.9m
Heavy Trucks	$52.5m
Other Vehicles	$9.7m
Miscellaneous Revenues	$42.3m
USER-FEE REVENUES (2009)	$581m
[USER-FEE REVENUES (2008)]	[$585.4m]
[LOST REVENUE (2008-2009)]	[-$4.4m]

 

Future Needs

While every Arkansan wants their state highways, county roads and city streets to be well maintained, modern and safe, we also want a funding system that is fair and adequate. Without an up-to-date method of growing highway revenue as our state grows, Arkansas runs the risk of a highway and road system that is less safe, less responsive to the needs of individuals, families, businesses and industries, and less competitive for economic growth with our surrounding states.

Counties plan for their county road program, just as cities work to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Arkansas’s Highway and Transportation Department is planning, too, for maintenance, construction and reconstruction based on future needs that would be addressed by the following:

• State and National Highway System;
• Key Highway Arteries;
• High-Traffic and Critical-Service Routes;
• Economic Development Connectors, and
• Congressionally Designated High Priority Corridors.

These are comprehensive plans designed to meet the needs of all areas of the state. But they are only just plans without a fair and adequate method of funding to make them a reality.