Infrastructure Program Funding May Reach $20 Billion
Federal funding highway infrastructure projects in an economic stimulus plan may be about $20 billion, Bloomberg reported, citing a group that represents state transportation officials.
The federal stimulus package, which the next Congress may consider when it convenes in January, may allocate at least $45 billion for areas including highway, bridge, aviation and water infrastructure, according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Bloomberg reported.
States have $64 billion worth of highway and bridge projects that would be ready to build within 180 days of receiving funding, and President-elect Barack Obama has said infrastructure should be a focus of a stimulus bill to revive the economy, Bloomberg reported.
AASHTO members met this week with aides to the House and Senate committees involved in drafting the package, AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley told Bloomberg.
Including infrastructure projects in a stimulus plan may ease the need to pass a highway bill replenishing the so-called highway trust fund, Bloomberg said. Diesel and gasoline tax revenue pays for road projects.
