Local transportation officials aren't sure just yet what a massive shortfall in federal funding means for Washington's roads, but there's a chance the state could be left holding the tab for millions of dollars.

The Associated Press reported earlier today that "the federal highway trust find will run out of money this month, requiring delays in payments to states for transportation construction projects."

By the end of September, the federal account (which pays for highways and bridges) will come up short by around $8 billion, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters told reporters.

Here's what the AP reported:

Peters blamed the funding shortage on the high price of gasoline, which has prompted Americans to drive less. This means less fuel has been purchased, and less gasoline taxes collected for the trust fund. Americans drove 50 billion fewer miles between November and June 2008 than during the same period a year earlier.

Compounding the problem, Peters said, is federal lawmakers' habit of loading up highway spending bills with pet projects, or earmarks, for their home states. The current highway spending bill has more than $24 billion in earmarks, she said.

Without federal reimbursement, Washington state could be responsible for paying contractors working on improvements to local infrastructure.

"If we are not fully reimbursed at the levels we have anticipated, the state will have to pick up the rest of the tab," said Washington State Department of Transportation spokesman Lloyd Brown.

The state was anticipating between $33 million to $54 million in federal transportation funding every month for the next five months, Brown said. Local agencies – including cities and counties – were probably anticipating between $15 million and $30 million, he added.

For now, it's too early to say if national shortfalls will put a stop to or stall local projects; local officials are waiting on a quick-fix at the federal level, Brown said.

It's anticipated that the federal transportation deficit may be relieved by $8 billion transferred from the general fund. But Washington's transportation officials say that will only sustain the nation's infrastructure for a short while, and that a long-term solution is needed.

The AP reports that Sen. Patty Murray had this to say:

"If we don't pass a solution fast, we'll be forced to cancel critical highway construction and repair projects that ensure our roads and bridges are safe and secure."