Highway Tolls Could Expand Under Bush Budget Proposal

ASHINGTON — The Bush administration’s budget for the next fiscal year includes a new proposal to expand the use of tolls on existing highways because, officials said, fuel taxes will not raise enough money for transportation improvements.

“There is a growing consensus that traditional gasoline taxes . . . are not adequate to the task of supporting 21st century transportation needs,” said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta at a Feb. 6 briefing on his department’s proposed budget.

The new budget, Mineta said, “sets aside $100 million for testing alternatives to the gasoline fuel tax — alternatives that may well prove to be more efficient for financing construction of new roads and more effective for relieving congestion and maintaining existing roads.”