Road Bill Round Up

From Interstates to riverfront walking trails -- to having a new bridge named after a sitting Congress member-- highway bill money is going to every nook and crannie of the US. Newspapers are beginning to report how the $286 billion highway bill will benefit their states. Here are a few reports -- the more interesting items are in bold italics:

The Times Reporter, Ohio:

• "...$7.5 billion over the next five years..."
• "...$20 million for specific highway and bridge projects in Stark County..."
• "...more than $8 million for projects in Tuscarawas County..."
• "...more than $4 million for projects in Harrison County..."
• "...Rep. Bob Ney, R-St. Clairsville, a member of the House Transportation Committee, said his $7.1 million in earmarked projects all survived in the final bill..."

New York Post:

• "More than $10 billion for roads and nearly $6.5 billion for transit in New York..."

Asbury Park Press, New Jersey:

• "The state is set to receive more than $8 billion through the end of the decade..."
• "...$80 million for Trans-Hudson Northeast Corridor commuter rail improvements..."
• "...$356,000 to preserve the New Jersey Underground Railroad..."
• "Sens. Jon S. Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, both D-N.J., were pleased with the inclusion of language that would require the Federal Transit Administration to strongly consider paying for a substantial portion of the second transit tunnel, which could cost $6 billion."
• "The bill includes $2.5 million for design work."

San Francisco Chronicle:

• "...$4.4 billion more for the state in highway funds.... Under the old program, California got $21 billion over six years for roads."
• "...$4.6 billion for transit programs over the life of the bill..."
• "...$25 million to create a bicycle-pedestrian network in Marin County..."

Myrtle Beach Sun News, South Carolina:

• "...The state would receive $2.9 billion over the six-year life of the bill..."
• "...Interstate 73 would receive $81 million..."
• "...$5.2 million for the S.C. State University transportation center, a think-tank for transportation issues..."

Aberdeen American News, South Dakota:

• "Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said South Dakota will get about $2 back for every $1 in fuel tax it pays in."
• "More than $1 billion earmarked for S.D. during next five years..."
• "...$1 million to extend bike trails in Aberdeen..."
• "...$300,000 to construct a riverfront walking trail in Mobridge..."

Statesman Journal, Oregon:

• "Oregon will get at least $2.2 billion through the end of the decade..."
• "Oregon will get $1.02 for every $1 of federal gas-tax money it sends to the federal government..."

Fairbanks News Miner, Alaska:

• "The Knik Arm bridge, which is slated to receive $230 million in a national highway bill unveiled Thursday night, will be named Don Young's Way..."
• "Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, earmarked money for the Knik Arm bridge and a few dozen other Alaska projects in the bill. Together they total about $870 million."

Fairness Forced into Formula

Highway bills are funded mainly from federal fuel taxes -- 18.3-cents a gallon on gasoline, 24.4-cents on diesel.

Large states are a lot happier with this highway bill than previous ones. Under the old funding formula, big states were shipping money to other, smaller states to pay for their road projects.

Under the new plan, every state gets at least 90.5-cents for every $1 it contributes to the highway fund. The result is that big states like New York, New Jersey, and California get a bigger share than under past bills.