Texas public opinion regarding toll roads

The Texas Department of Transportation is facing a severe shortfall in funds needed to address the state's growing transportation requirements. In response, the Texas Transportation Plan is exploring various funding alternatives, including toll roads. A statewide survey undertaken for this project reveals that toll roads are seen as an acceptable alternative to increasing motor fuel taxes. Adjusting the results to account for gender bias, the survey reveals that 61.7 percent of Texans favor toll roads over motor fuel tax increases to address transportation needs. Support for toll roads comes primarily from urban areas. Rural areas support toll roads over motor fuel tax increases, principally because residents oppose any increases in taxes. The survey results also indicate that a larger percentage, though not a majority, would accept tolls on existing non-tolled roads and the use of toll revenues for non-tolled roads. These findings have important implications for the development of a comprehensive toll road policy.