TRENTON, N.J. (WCBS 880) -- There's some good news for New Jersey drivers.
The state's gas tax will not go up in the coming year.
State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio announced Wednesday that the state's gas sales have been strong enough to leave the tax where it is at 41.4 cents per gallon and 48.4 cents per gallon for diesel.
The state reviewed fuel consumption as required under a 2016 law that boosted the state's transportation trust fund to $2 billion a year from $1.6 billion. The law requires the state to keep a steady revenue stream for the fund, which means the tax could rise if consumption drops.
“We’re pleased that fuel consumption levels, coupled with our realistic projections last year, have allowed us to avoid an increase in the gas tax rate for this year,” said Muoio. “This dedicated revenue stream has enabled us to disburse billions in funding across the state to bolster our transportation infrastructure and keep New Jersey moving forward.”
Murphy said not raising the gas tax is good on many levels.
"Strong, modern and safe infrastructure is at the heart of our economic vision and I'm grateful that we'll be able to build on this vision over the coming year without an increase in the gas tax," Murphy said.
Last year, the rate went up by 4.3 cents to 41.4 cents.
In 2016, when the law first went into effect under then-Gov. Chris Christie, the gas tax went up by 23 cents.
While the tax goes into the state's transportation fund to pay for road improvement projects, Frank Decicco of Toms River said he comes face to face with crumbling roadways all the time while criss-crossing the state as a salesman.
"I'd like to see where it actually goes to be honest with you. I know that was the whole thing, the whole tax was supposed to go towards improvements but I don't know, I don't see it," said Decicco.
A recent report from Transportation for America found 34 percent of New Jersey's roads are in poor condition.
New Jersey has the ninth highest gas tax in the nation.
Pennsylvania has the highest.