History behind the gas tax and a surge in state potholes

Q

You’re surprised that road maintenance topped the list of projects your readers want completed?

Have you not driven on our miserable roads?

They have been a disaster for many years and should never have been allowed to deteriorate to such a pathetic condition. It’s not just potholes, either. Lane markings on so many roads have worn away, creating an extremely dangerous situation, especially at night or during rain.

We have the most populous state in the country and our millions of drivers pay the highest gas tax in the nation.

Yet our roads are the worst in the country and have been for decades.

Now our feckless government says they need infrastructure money.

Instead of covering for government incompetence, why don’t you call them out for once?

Joseph Gumina

A

We need a history lesson to help explain the sorry condition of our freeways and streets.

The state raised our gas tax to 18 cents a gallon in 1994 but did not adjust it for inflation. It was not raised for almost 30 years and lost purchasing power over that time.

The gas tax pays for most maintenance for our aging roads at a time when available funds cover less. Many projects were deferred. Meanwhile, increasing needs led officials to pass sales taxes to bring BART to San Jose, expand 101 onto the Peninsula, complete Highway 85 through the Almaden Valley and widen I-680 over the Sunol Grade, I-580 in the East Bay, I-880 from Oakland to San Jose and 237.

Alas, little was earmarked for smoother roads.

After all that expansion, the focus is shifting to increased maintenance, including repaving many freeways and city streets. The recent 12-cent a gallon tax hike will be adjusted for inflation.

In addition, cities like San Jose have set aside money for repaving city streets.

Conditions are improving. Infrastructure funds will help.

Q

I’m curious about the source of the oft-repeated claim that poor roads cost an average of more than $1,000 per motorist per year.

This seems remarkably high.

Scott Benson, Mountain View

A

The figure comes from TRIP, a highway advocacy group and AAA. Q The streets in San Jose are terrible, as you already know.

I have a Prius that needed front struts. The cost was $970. The direct cause: potholes and cracked pavement.

David Gurrisi, San Jose

A

This is just one driver whose repair costs for rough roads were around $1,000. Roadshow note: My column will now run five days a week, on Sunday and then Tuesday through Friday. I look forward to continuing to answer your questions and having one more day a week to play with Ollie-the-Roadshowgrandson; or at Facebook. com/mr.roadshow, or at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com.