The reason is, that in many cases, the fuel taxes collected are far, far in excess of the money actually spent in maintaining the road and building new roads.
Actually, you have this backwards[1]. The cost of maintaining roads exceeds the revenues generated by gas taxes.
In fact, the only transportation 'use tax' account that consistently runs a surplus is the federal Airport Improvement Trust Fund.
Are there other sources that discuss the cost of roads and bridges? One of the main arguments people use against high-speed rail in the US, for instance, is that it's not profitable, except in the North East between Washington and Boston.
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Actually, you have this backwards[1]. The cost of maintaining roads exceeds the revenues generated by gas taxes.
In fact, the only transportation 'use tax' account that consistently runs a surplus is the federal Airport Improvement Trust Fund.
[1] First hit on the Google: http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructur...
Are there other sources that discuss the cost of roads and bridges? One of the main arguments people use against high-speed rail in the US, for instance, is that it's not profitable, except in the North East between Washington and Boston.