Delaware eyes mileage fees as alternative to gas tax

DOVER (AP) — Delaware’s Department of Transportation has received a $1.49 million federal grant for a pilot study regarding the feasibility of charging drivers a mileage-based user fee to help pay for road projects.

The Federal Highway Administration announced $14.2 million in grants for several states to explore alternative revenue mechanisms to help sustain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

Delaware’s grant provides funding for a multi-state pilot study, in collaboration with members of the Interstate 95 Corridor Coalition, using on-board mileage counters in 50 vehicles to explore the feasibility of replacing the gas tax with a mileage-based user fee.

The proposed project will be overseen by a steering committee of coalition members co-chaired by Delaware Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan.