Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In

As transit fans and policy wonks digest the details of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar's (D-MN) new proposal, one question is coming to mind: Does it change the typical 80-20 split in the percentage of funding that goes to highways versus transit?

The short answer is, not really. While road programs got a hair less than 80 percent of highway trust fund money under the 2005 transportation bill, they will get about 75 percent of trust fund money under Oberstar's plan, according to an analysis by the subscription-only Transportation Weekly newsletter.

Transit programs, by contrast, got 18.3 percent of total funding under the 2005 bill and would receive 22.2 percent under Oberstar's proposal, Transportation Weekly found.

But the long answer is that this marginal improvement amounts to real progress. Among Oberstar's four consolidated categories of highway funding, only one focuses on building new capacity -- and that pot of money also gives states the flexibility to spend on new transit rather than new roads.

The other three highway funding categories Oberstar proposes would focus on repair of existing roads and bridges, air quality and public health improvement, and safety improvements. In addition, the House chairman also would create a dedicated program for metropolitan areas' concerns and reform the New Starts program to ensure a more comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of new transit proposals.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers and advocates are constantly confronting the tension between what's ideal and what's realistically possible. The question for some transit boosters may be whether to support Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's push for an 18-month extension of existing law, welcoming the chance for more time to promote their priorities, or whether to align with Oberstar's plan and try to challenge the administration.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Falls Prey To Trump Purge

Some of the most basic technical resources cities use to build bike lanes and sidewalks were housed on a single government website, which was scrubbed shortly after Trump's inauguration. Now, advocates are scrambling to replace them.

February 24, 2025

Trump Aide Pushing End of Congestion Toll is Married to (Wait for It!) a Parking Garage Magnate

Alina Habba, the counselor to the president, is married to Gregg Reuben, who owns 28 parking garages across the city. Oligarchy much?

February 24, 2025

Can Monday’s Headlines Dodge DOGE?

Many cut. Very National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Much conflict of interest. So scare. Wow.

February 24, 2025

Friday Video: The Best Super Bowl Ad You’ll Never See

Every February, Automakers spend millions to get Americans into expensive cars they can't afford. What if we could do the same to get them onto a bike seat?

February 21, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Fear for Amtrak

Amtrak may not survive the second Trump administration, let alone the slow progress on expansion made under President Biden.

February 21, 2025
See all posts