The conference committee bill, which would maintain spending at the current level of about $54 billion a year, is set to come up for a ratification vote in both chambers this week. Indepth details will supposedly not be available until later tonight, early information claims the new bill will streamline the federal system that’s been called ‘a cumbersome bureaucracy that has smothered state transportation projects.’
And Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), says about it, “We speed up project delivery, cut red tape and do it without jeopardizing environmental laws. For the first time, we send half of the funds for bike paths and pedestrian walkways directly to local entities, and we protect those funds while giving states more flexibility on their share.”
The bill also allegedly provides greater incentives for corporations to partner with government to invest in public-private partnerships.Here are more details form Politico.