Here we go again

Key members of Congress reported plans to reintroduce early in the 109th Congress which began on Jan. 4 multi-year surface transportation legislation that failed in the waning stages of 2004. Lawmakers said they would reintroduce versions of both the House and Senate bills similar to those measures' status as adopted by the two chambers.

The House bill called for a funding level of $275 billion over six years; the Senate measure called for $318 billion over six years. A House-Senate conference committee considered a $299 funding level but agreement was not finalized.

American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials Executive Director John Horsley urged Congress to act as quickly as possible on legislation similar to that pending late in 2004 and to place a final measure on the President's desk for signature by April 1. Delay beyond that timetable may cost many states their summer contracting and building seasons due to the lack of a reliable stream of federal funding to plan for, he noted.