Rethinking California’s highways as public utilities

In November, state voters will decide whether or not to repeal the 2017 state law increasing gasoline and diesel taxes. In Los Angeles, roads are in such bad shape that it costs the average driver $892 a year in additional vehicle wear and tear. Nationally, 25 percent of all U.S. highway bridges are either too narrow or structurally deficient, and chronic traffic congestion costs Americans $160 billion per year in wasted time and fuel.
Fuel taxes were sold to the public last century as “hi