Study Says That Highways Don't Pay for Themselves

How often does one hear that transit is somehow a less respectable form of transportation than driving because of the "massive subsidies" transit receives? Well, a new study by Texas DOT says that highways don't pay for themselves either.

1 minute read

July 9, 2008, 1:00 PM PDT

By daymen

A new study completed by the Texas Department of Transportation shows that no highway in Texas has paid for itself in terms of the increased funds the state receives through tolls or gas taxes. In some cases, a road without tolls would need a gas tax of over $2 to "pay for itself."

This study provides support for transportation reform advocates nationwide whether they be pushing congestion pricing locally or AMTRAK nationally. If no transportation project, be it highway, transit or something else, can be said to "pay for itself;" then the arguments of car culture advocates and libertarians who argue against alternative transportation on the basis that it is only viable because of a government subsidy loses what little credibility it has left.

Thanks to Damien Newton

FULL STORY: Study: Highways Don't Pay for Themselves

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 in la.streetsblog.org

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