FLOWERY BRANCH — The Georgia Department of Transportation’s deputy commissioner predicted Tuesday that federal gas tax revenues would plummet if, as he expects, Congress starts making ends meet.

Todd Long, speaking to the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s South Hall Business Coalition, addressed Congress’ passage last week of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, a 27-month transportation bill that has been signed by President Barack Obama.

But the money going out is much higher than the amount of gas tax revenues coming in.

“So, how do they do that? They’re taking money out of the general fund in Washington
to help fund transportation, allowing us to stay at this artificial level,” Long said.

“If Congress lives within its means — and you know that most people running for Congress, around here at least, are saying (that) — there’s this general attitude that eventually they’re going to say, ‘Whatever the gas tax brings in is what we’re going to spend on transportation,’” he said.

If that happens, in 2015, Georgia “will probably see a 25 to 30 percent decrease” in transportation funding.

Long framed his remarks as part of a discussion on the proposed new 1 percent sales tax for transportation, up for a statewide vote on July 31.

He said that gas tax revenues are declining based on people driving fewer miles as well as more fuel-efficient vehicles.

“You hear people talk about whether there is a plan B,” Long said, referring to what would happen if the transportation sales tax vote fails. “Plan B is the current course we’re on now, which keeps us at same (funding) levels for two more years and then, (there’s) a collapse.”

The new federal transportation law replaces the previous authorization, known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, which expired on Sept. 30, 2009, and was buoyed with a series of short-term extensions.

“MAP-21 will modernize and reform our current transportation system to help create jobs, accelerate economic recovery, and build the foundation for long-term prosperity,” states a 91-page federal document summarizing the bill.

Srikanth Yamala, transportation planning manager for the Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization, said in an interview last week that the bill “maintains the current level of funding with a slight bump for inflation,” or $54.6 billion per year nationwide compared to $50.1 billion under the previous measure.

Under the bill, Georgia expects to keep getting the same amount, or $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion annually, for transportation, said Teri Pope, spokeswoman for the DOT’s District 1, which includes Hall County.

That funding would take place regardless of what happens with the sales tax vote.

Residents statewide will decide whether to add the tax in their respective regions, with Georgia divided into 12 regions based on already established regional commissions.

Hall belongs to the Gainesville-based Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, which spans 13 counties.

The sales tax is expected to generate some $1.25 billion in the Georgia Mountains region over the life of the tax, which is 10 years, or when the revenue amount is reached, whichever comes first. Hall County would reap about $360 million of that amount for regional and local projects.