US Senate

The US Senate has approved a $109bn highway bill which will set a roadmap for investment over the next two years.

The plan aims to consolidate and simplify funding programmes, provide more money for state and private projects, improve safety and performance by refocusing highway programmes, accelerate decisions and delivery and improve planning processes.

US Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood said passing the bill takes states one step closer to putting Americans to work rebuilding roads, bridges, transit systems and railways.

"Like President Obama’s transportation proposal, this bill would relieve congestion on our roads, expand our transit and rails systems and provide Americans with safe, affordable ways to reach their destinations when gas prices are high," LaHood said.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill will also help improve safety of public transportation systems, streamline transport construction projects, monitor and upgrade public transportation infrastructure and reduce distracted driving.

According to the new plan, 87 existing funding programmes will be consolidated into less than 30, with seven core programmes consolidated into five. Under the legislation, the US Government will provide $20bn in federal loans over the next two years to states and private projects.

President Barack Obama’s spokesperson Jay Carney said maintaining a world class infrastructure system is critical to creating an economy built to last.

"Our country needs and deserves a commitment to surface transportation that will create jobs by rebuilding and modernising our roads and bridges and allowing us to compete and grow in the global economy," Carney said.

Image: US Senate approves $109bn transport bill which allows public transportation programmes to continue at current funding levels for the next two years. Photo: Scrumshus.