Federal Funding Bill and Hurricane Hit Market at Nearly the Same Time

The pace for the transportation construction industry in the U.S. will be set by two factors: the signing of the SAFETEA-LU transportation reauthorization bill and the devastating results of Hurricane Rita. While the $286.5-billion in funding that SAFETEA-LU brings represents a 38% increase over the previous legislation, the amount is significantly less than the $375 billion that was originally proposed to meet federal estimates of funding needs up to 2010. The legislation brings the following modal funds: $226.5-billion for federal-aid highways, $52.6-billion for transit, and $25.6 billion for bridge upgrades. The article gives an overview of some of the major upcoming projects that will make use of the new funds. The article also includes tables covering: Top 50 in Transportation; Top 25 in Mass Transit and Rail; Top 25 in Bridges; Top 25 in Highways; Top 25 in Airports; and, Top 15 in Marine and Port Facilities.