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

Amtrak’s Penn Station Plans Assume Gateway Tunnel Will Happen Despite Trump ‘Termination’

Andy Byford's Penn Station plans assume a capacity boost from the Gateway Tunnel project that President Trump insists is "terminated."

October 30, 2025

Judge Lets Court Street Bike Lane Live … For Now

Businesses sued too late to stall the redesign, a judge said. But a wider ruling will come as soon as next month.

October 30, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Janno’s Speaking Edition

Local news outlets had a field day after MTA CEO Janno Lieber reiterated his longstanding skepticism of Zohran Mamdani's free buses platform. Plus more news.

October 30, 2025

Decision 2025: Ben Chou Hopes to Unseat Vickie Paladino on Street Safety

Chou, who grew up biking in and around the district, called out his opponent's anti-bike "fear-mongering."

October 30, 2025

Vision Zero Hero! Former FDNY Commish Wants Agency To Join the Safe Streets Fight

Former FDNY Commissioner wants the agency to stop taking a back seat on street safety.

October 30, 2025

Crunching Numbers to Curb Crashes: Using Federal Data to Make Our Roads Safer

Upholding federal data transparency is key to understanding and reversing the alarming level of crashes, fatalities, and strained infrastructure. Here's where we have more work to do.

October 30, 2025
See all posts