Senate OKs Transportation Bill

The Senate approved a $49.5 billion transportation appropriations bill that includes $28.9 billion for the Federal Highway Administration to fund road construction, research and motor carrier safety programs in 2000.

The bill raised overall funding from the $47.8 billion appropriated for 1999. The $37.9 billion in infrastructure investment — highways, transit and airports — was an all-time high.

The bill, which passed 95-0 Sept. 16, now goes to a conference committee that will resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill.

In addition to the FHWA funding, the bill includes $2 million for the National Driver Register, a repository of information on people whose driving privileges have been revoked, suspended, canceled or denied.