University of California Transportation Center

Not widely known to the public policy community outside transportation is the fact that the Interstate Highway System is almost finished. By 1992, if all goes as planned, the United States will have a completed, fully mature Interstate transportation system. Even less known is the fact that federal gas taxes could be extended, thus revenues would continue to "roll" in.

So large a "pot of gold" is enormous temptation. It tantalizes other underfunded public services, that may mistakenly believe surface transportation has had its day. In part anticipating a "raid," the surface transportation technical community is developing a coalition, the "2020 Plan," to build a consensus similar to the pre-Interstate era (1955-56).  successful, future surface transportation needs will continue to be funded by gas tax revenues from the highway trust fund.