ALDOT Spokesman Talks Gas Tax Impact for Roads

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - It’s safe to say not everyone is on board with this gas tax increase, but now that it’s law the big question taxpayers want to know is when will they see their roads improved.

The gas tax will increase by six cents on Sept. 1. Then there will be another two cents added in 2020 followed by another two cents in 2021. Another increase or decrease to the tax would start in 2023.

Alabamians are currently paying on average $2.26 per gallon.

ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris says the department has been operating with the belt as tight as it can be. It’s meant some deferred maintenance, and some bridges weren’t updated on the schedule the department preferred.

None of those delays compromised safety, but it did mean issues like congestion and traffic capacity in some areas were not addressed as quickly as needed across the state because of money.