The five-year, $260-billion surface transportation bill moving through the House of Representatives would prevent any federal Highway Trust Fund money from being spent on public transit.

Well, it appears that trucking has at least made some progress in getting Congress to address some of the issues that are impeding the industry’s efforts to deliver the nation’s freight.

A five-year transportation reauthorization bill that would provide around $250 billion for projects and safety programs is expected to be unveiled this week by Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Marc Beam, the Truckload Carriers Association’s 2011 Highway Angel, is the type of person who saves the lives of a woman and two babies on a dark August night and doesn’t immediately tell anyone about it.

Yes, there has been some new movement on Capitol Hill in the drive to get a highway funding bill through and into law. But don’t pop the champagne just yet: the “movement” is simply Congress kicking the can down the road once again.

House Republicans said they plan to introduce a five-year highway funding bill that would be paid for by expanded domestic oil drilling.

At last, we’ve had some movement on Capitol Hill toward enactment of a new federal transportation funding act.

A key Senate committee Wednesday unanimously approved a two-year highway reauthorization bill, though there is still no plan on how to fully fund the measure.

Arkansas voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly renewed a $575 million bond program to repair more than 400 miles of interstate highways, the Associated Press reported.