Basic Materials on the Transportation Equity Act of 2005

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (HR 3) was signed by President Bush on Monday, August 10th. This legislation funds highways, transit, safety programs, and "other related projects" in fiscal years through 2009. The official cost is a record-breaking $286.4 billion, but the Act contains a promise that on the last day the legislation is in effect - Sept. 30, 2009 - Congress will make an unspecified spending cut of $8.5 billion. Right.

Here's some "short order" BBQ-style research:

HR 3 as passed by both Houses: HTML | PDF (835 pp)

President's Signing Statement

Congressional Research Service's Bill Summary

Latest Conference Report (H.R. 109-203): HTML | PDF (1231 pp)

References to HR 3 in the Congressional Record

CBO Cost Estimate (March 8, 2005) (pdf)

DOT Highway Authorizations Table for HR 3 as Passed by House on March 10, 2005 (pdf)

Approximately 6,500 pork-barrel projects are stuffed into the Act. LBJ would be proud of fellow Texan GWB for signing this bill into law. Here's an illustration of pork being distributed in one congressional district, the Illinois 19th.

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) plateful of pork consisted of funding for 16 specific projects in his district:

• $5.6 million for a four lane connection between Routes 13 and 45 in Harrisburg and upgrades to Netty Green Road in Saline County;
• $4.8 million for the improved access to I-57/64 in Mt. Vernon;
• $3.2 million for the extension of MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield;
• $2.4 million for Route 51 from Pana to Vandalia;
• $1.6 million for reconstruction and realignment of Evergreen Avenue in Effingham;
• $1.6 million for U.S. Route 51 south of Moweaqua;
• $1.6 million for Route 159 in Collinsville;
• $1.5 million for Outer Belt West in Effingham;
• $1.48 million for Route 29 extension from Rochester to Taylorville;
• $1.4 million for a cross town connection between Routes 3 and 67/111 in Godfrey;
• $1.36 million for the U.S. Route 67 corridor north of Jerseyville to Carrolton;
• $1 million for an overpass at U.S. Route 40 to Southwest Andrews Drive in Greenville;
• $500,000 for improvements to township roads in the Shawnee National Forest in Pope County;
• $440,000 for a new intersection with U.S. Route 50 in Olney;
• $400,000 for a road extension north from University Park Drive in Edwardsville;
• $334,400 for bus improvements for the South Central Illinois Mass Transit District, based in Centralia and serving Salem, Centralia, Nashville, Carlyle, Mt. Vernon,West Frankfort, and Benton.

Pork, yummy. Sorry, I misplaced the cite for this list. I was distracted by a plateful on BBQ ribs from Boston Butts (Ross, OH).