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Transportation “has the authority to close roads to traffic as he deems fit.” He added that construction funds for half (four miles) of the Rt. 17 project have been appropriated, and that construction “should be underway in October.” Funding for the remaining four miles, however, is contingent upon the recommendations of the transportation panel.
“We’re in limbo as far as reopening Rt. 17 (to truck traffic),” the District Engineer concluded.
Mr. Guest added that all questions on transportation funding will be unresolved until the governor’s commission issues its report on Monday (July 28). He said that the panel will “probably recommend a one percent increase in the sales tax, with the revenue to be used for transportation programs.” In addition, he predicted, the panel will recommend a one to three-cent gasoline tax, a one percent increase in the titling tax, and a revenue bond issue for toll roads.
“The proposals could provide as much as one billion dollars in the first full year—a $500 million increase over present funding,” he stated. But, the veteran legislator cautioned, nothing will be final until the commission issues its report.
The recommendations of the governor’s panel, released Monday in Richmond, were close to Mr. Guest’s predictions: • An increase in the sales tax from 4 to 4.75 percent, which would provide $301.5 million the first year and $3.5 billion over 10 years. • An increase by four cents per gallon in the gasoline tax, which would raise $128.8 million in FY 1988 and $1.28 billion in. 10 years. • A doubling of the titling tax on motor vehicles to four percent of the cost, less trade-in value. Revenues of $119.1 million the first year and $1.33 billion over 10 years will be realized.
94.7%