“When you think about infrastructure, it’s a classic example of the kind of investment that has a return on that investment,” he said. “That’s one of many reasons why we think this is so important. This is a jobs vision as much as it is an infrastructure vision, a climate vision and more.”

Reuters indicated that Buttigieg “spoke fondly” of a mileage levy which would tax drivers on the distance of their driving rather than on how much gasoline they purchase at the pumps.

“A so-called vehicle-miles-traveled tax or mileage tax, whatever you want to call it, could be a way to do it,” he said.

The Transportation secretary’s comments came as President Joe Biden prepares to detail during a trip to Pittsburgh on Wednesday his sweeping infrastructure proposals that could cost $3 trillion to $4 trillion.

It was just about 8 months ago when Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz announced the state had finally made it to the top ten best states for bridge conditions. Oklahoma ranked ninth according to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration.

Oklahoma had historically ranked near the bottom in national bridge conditions, hitting 49th in 2004. In 2004, nearly 1,200  or nearly 20% of Oklahoma’s 6,800 highway bridges were considered structurally deficient, meaning they showed signs of needing major rehabilitation or replacement.