Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
2009 Transportation Bill

Senate Passes One-Month Extension of Transport Law … For Now

By a vote of 62-38, the Senate has just passed a one-month extension of the 2005 transportation law, which was set to expire at midnight tonight and leave state DOTs without a steady source of funding for road, bridge, and transit projects.

But the one-month stopgap, which was approved by the House last week, does not address the imminent cancellation of $8.7 billion in spending authority for state DOTs -- an issue that has sparked intense lobbying by highway officials as well as local governments.

For the $8.7 billion to effectively return to the states' coffers, the Senate would need to pass the House's three-month extension of transportation law and add on language that transfers new money from the Treasury.

But even if the Senate agreed to the three-month measure before its session ends tonight, the House would then need to approve the new spending. Prospects for both votes occurring before the fiscal year ends appear dim, given that the House clerk reported winding up legislative business earlier today.

So what happens to the $8.7 billion -- and how deeply does the cancellation affect the states? The answer may not become clear until the witching hour this evening.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Tuesday’s Sprawling Headlines

Sprawl seems to be having a moment, but it remains a very shortsighted and environmentally disastrous way to solve the housing crisis.

July 1, 2025

Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?

A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.

July 1, 2025

‘We’re Not Copenhagen’ Is No Excuse Not to Build a Great Biking And Walking City

A team of researchers identified eight under-the-radar cities leading the local active transportation revolution — and a menu of strategies that other communities can and should steal.

June 30, 2025

Monday’s Headlines, Ranked

New reports rank the best cities for biking and the best complete streets policies. Plus, the robotaxi wars have begun.

June 30, 2025

Washington State Is About To Have the First Pro-‘Woonerf’ Law in America

Washington state is making it legal for cities to have people-centered streets in a first-in-the-nation law.

June 30, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Are Doomed

Philadelphia transit is falling off the fiscal cliff, with other major cities not far behind. And the effects of service cuts on their economies could be brutal.

June 27, 2025
See all posts