A non-profit think tank wants New Jersey drivers to dig deeper into their pockets to help the state Department of Transportation and NJ Transit catch up on needed projects.

The organization, Fund for New Jersey, calling for putting tolls on interstate highways, leasing state toll roads to private operators and raising motor vehicle fees in a report called "Crossroads NJ" set to be released Wednesday.

The report ties a transportation system that's in good repair to the state's economic well being, but said the state doesn't have enough funding to keep up with a backlog of needs, even with the 23 cent per-gallon state gas tax increase that took effect in November.

The report suggests some revenue raisers that proved to be unpopular suggestions in the past, including charging tolls to use interstate highways and privatizing the states toll roads. Leasing the toll roads to private operators to raise funds for transportation projects was proposed by Gov. Jon Corzine in 2007 and dropped when met with strong opposition.

The report also suggested raising motor vehicle license and registration fees to improve the state Motor Vehicle Commission. The MVC has been on a decades long effort to replace an aging main frame computer system, which has been blamed for long lines and wait times at agencies when it breaks down. In MVC's fiscal year 2017 budget, it collected $489 million in revenue and sent $139 million to the state budget.

Those ideas were suggested as an alternative to another gas tax hike, according to the report.

The report also reiterates a past suggestion made by both Republicans and Democrat to merge the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority with the NJDOT as a cost cutting measure.

Direct state funding for the DOT has dropped steadily from a high of $85.3 million in fiscal year 2004 to a low of $43.9 million in the fiscal year 2018 state budget, the report said.

Both the DOT and NJ Transit's have dipped into capital funds intended for large projects and purchases to cover operating expenses, a practice that more state funding would end, the report said.

The report also calls building the entire $24 billion Gateway Project "crucial to the New Jersey economy." The Gateway Project would build two new Hudson River rail tunnels, an annex to Penn Station New York, a new Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in Kearny, and a second set of Northeast Corridor line tracks between Secaucus Junction and the tunnel.

Also supported is building a replacement Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Referring to opposition by some New York officials to building a new terminal in Manhattan, the report said the next governor has to "pay attention to every detail of the project to make sure New Jersey's interests are protected."

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.