Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
2009 Transportation Bill

Coming Attraction: Teasers From Oberstar’s Transpo Bill Outline

422093580_050ae3f4c9.jpgRep. Jim Oberstar at the 2007 National Bike Summit. Photo by Bike Portland via Flickr.

The details of Rep. Jim Oberstar's plans for the next federal transportation bill are starting to come into focus. Last Friday, The Infrastructurist ran an item about a document on the subject that has made its way into the public eye:

Oberstar has recently been circulating a “two-page handwritten outline” around the Hill, according to the BNA’s Daily Report for Executives, which obtained a copy of the document. They report the following tidbits:

> The outline calls for “transit equity.” Right now the feds pay 80 percent of highway projects and 50 percent of transit projects. That would change.

> It would create DOT agencies focused on a “national strategic plan” and on “mega-projects.”

> “DOT’s 108 programs [will be consolidated] into four “major formula programs”: critical asset preservation, highway safety improvement, surface transportation program, and congestion mitigationand air quality improvement.”

> The document seems to call for more transparency with transportation data.

Leaves you wanting more, doesn't it?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

How Mamdani Can Fix NYC’s Neglected Greenways

This vital transportation infrastructure needs a lot of TLC by the new mayor.

January 26, 2026

Cycle of Rage: NYC Is A HELLSCAPE For Pedestrians

We can apportion the blame later in the day, but the greatest walkable city in North America is completely impassible to people on foot or in wheelchairs.

January 26, 2026

Gov. Hochul’s Car Insurance Proposal is a Disaster for Crash Victims’ Rights

As a state that values walking and biking, we cannot allow the governor to gut the rights of the people most at risk — especially since it won't lower insurance rates anyway.

January 26, 2026

Universal School Streets Will Be a Heavy Lift for Mamdani: Advocates

Can New York be the Paris of America? Mayor Mamdani will have to get to work on the DOT's "School Streets" program to make that happen.

January 26, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Deliver the Goods Edition

Delivery workers braving the snow have more money in their pockets after judges threw out two app company lawsuits on Friday. Plus more news.

January 26, 2026

Driverless Vehicles — Who Needs Them?

That headline is not sarcastic — I mean it literally: Who will benefit from driverless cars?

January 26, 2026
See all posts