Keeping the tax the same and expecting growth in population and driving to lead to revenue increases hasn’t worked. The Highway Trust Fund, the bank account for the gas tax, has been repeatedly bailed out because it isn’t bringing in enough money. It’s on the verge of insolvency again.

Meanwhile, former officials like LaHood aren’t optimistic when it comes to the highway system.

“America … is one big pothole right now because, I say, we have not invested over the last decade,” LaHood said, noting other major world economic powers like China are lapping the U.S. in infrastructure investment. “The simple solution is a big pot of money… The money that built the interstate highway system and the Hoover Dam.”

via Former DOT head: Investment critical to ease congestion – Houston Chronicle.