SAFETEA-LU to get funded

It looks like Congress will fully fund the federal highway program, putting to rest speculation that funding levels would be frozen at last year's dollar figure. "The announcement by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to fully fund SAFETEA-LU is a significant victory for our nation," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of The Associated General Contractors of America. The agreement will fully fund SAFETEA-LU at authorized levels of $39.1 billion for the highway program, a $3.5 billion increase over the FY 2006 level. Transit is also fully funded at $8.97 billion, an increase of $470 million over the FY 2006 level. "Highway and transit funding is important to every segment of the economy," said Sandherr. "The overwhelming support from members of the House and Senate shows the importance of the federal transportation funding to improving safety and reducing congestion in every state and every congressional district." The House is expected to vote on and approve the measure today while the Senate will take up the measure next week. Your comment?