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Financial Statement

  1. The Highway Trust Fund--Where It Comes From

    The Federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is the principal source of funds for federal surface transportation programs. Established by the Highway Revenue Act of 1956, and extended periodically through subsequent legislation, the HTF receives revenues from excise taxes on gasoline, diesel, and other motor fuels, as well as several excise taxes related to heavy trucks. The current rate of federal taxation for gasoline is 18.4 cents per gallon, and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel fuel. The HTF has two accounts: Highway and Mass Transit. The programs of FHWA are supported by the Highway Account. Revenues to the Highway Account of the HTF by category for FY 1999 are shown at right.

    Current law requires that a portion of the revenue to the HTF accrues to a Mass Transit Account, used to finance federal transit programs. The amount accruing to the Mass Transit Account equals 2.86 cents per gallon of the federal gasoline and diesel taxes, and a portion of other fuel taxes. In FY 1999, the Mass Transit Account was credited with $5,477,927,289.

WHERE IT COMES FROM Highway Account Revenues(in millions)
Category FY 1999 Revenue
Gasoline $ 20,800
Gasohol $ 1,256
Diesel and Special Fuel $ 7,719
Truck and Trailer Sales $ 2,810
Truck Tires $ 416
Heavy Vehicle Use $ 814
Fines and Other Income $ 8
Total $ 33,823*


  1. Program Activity FY 1999--Where It Goes

    The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and prior highway authorization acts provide for the apportionment and allocation of funding to the states in the form of contract authority. This allows the FHWA to enter into project agreements with states in advance of appropriations providing for cash reimbursements. The obligation of federal funds constitutes the federal government's commitment to pay a state for the federal share of a project's cost, and occurs when a project is approved and a project agreement is executed. Reimbursements, or cash outlays, occur upon request by a state after costs have been incurred.

WHERE IT GOES Obligations (in millions)
Federal-Aid Category FY 1999 Obligations
Interstate (including Maintenance & Substitution Funds) $ 3,697
National Highway System $ 4,891
Surface Transportation Program $ 6,231
Minimum Allocation & Donor State Bonus $ 294
Bridge Replacement $ 2,565
Metropolitan Planning $ 187
Planning & Research $ 485
Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality $ 1,145
Emergency Relief $ 223
ISTEA Mandates & Intelligent Vehicle Highway System $ 232
Minimum Guarantee $ 2,882
High Priority Projects $ 578
Other Programs $ 2,288
Other Funds and Adjustments* $ 313
Total $ 26,012**


  1. Types of Highway Improvements --What It's Used For

    The following illustrates the amount of money spent on various types of improvements or highway projects in 1999.

WHAT IT'S USED FOR Obligations (in millions)
Improvement Type FY 1999 Obligations
New Route $ 1,910
Route Relocation $ 529
Reconstruction* $ 4,952
Widening $ 2,303
Restoration and Rehabilitation $ 2,455
Resurfacing $ 3,253
New Bridge $ 841
Bridge Replacement $ 2,029
Bridge Rehabilitation $ 1,395
Safety/Traffic/TSM $ 2,490
Environmentally related $ 1,125
Other** $ 2,730
Total $ 26,012


  1. Total Federal Funds Obligated (1987-1999) --How It's Grown

    The following shows the total level of federal-aid funding obligated for highway-related activities from 1987 to 1999.

TOTAL FEDERAL FUNDS OBLIGATED 1987-1999 (in millions)
Fiscal Year   Fiscal Year  
1987 $ 12,819 1994 $ 21,338
1988 $ 12,965 1995 $ 20,885
1989 $ 13,666 1996 $ 20,038
1990 $ 14,365 1997 $ 21,825
1991 $ 16,641 1998 $ 21,407
1992 $ 18,449 1999 $ 26,012
1993 $ 18,242 2000 (estimate) $ 28,734

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