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February 16, 2000 9:20 AM, EST

The Clinton administration proposes to spend a record $29.3 billion on roads and bridges in fiscal 2001, but the federal-aid program still faces diversions of tax revenue, and that drew some complaints.

he 6% increase — up from the current $27.5 billion — would be funded by $3 billion in additional revenue flowing into the Highway Trust Fund from taxes on higher-than-anticipated fuel consumption and $1.4 billion in new user fees ("Highway Trust Fund May Be Blessed With $3 Billion Fuel Tax Windfall," 2-7, p. 4).

House Transportation Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) said the president wants to redirect $1.3 billion of the excess fuel tax revenue to non-highway projects, and vowed to “vigorously oppose” the plan on Capitol Hill. About half — $700 million — would go to railroad and other programs.

Highway User Federation President Bill Fay called the funding diversion “a travesty” and asked the White House to earmark all the money for highway purposes.

For the full story, see the Feb. 14 print edition of Transport Topics. .