The House voted 417 to 9 on Thursday to approve a $284 billion transportation bill that reauthorizes the Indian Reservation Roads program.

According to the Thomas Congressional web site, the TEA-LU Act contains a total of $2.315 billion for reservation roads through fiscal year 2009. It allocates $325 million for 2004, $365 million for 2005, $390 million for 2006, $395 million for 2007, $420 million for 2008 and $420 million for 2009.

In addition, the bill earmarks particular projects for reservation roads. In South Dakota, for example $1.2 million to resurface a highway to the Yankton Sioux Reservation, $1.5 million to pave and curb a road on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and $250,000 to extend a bike trail on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Get the Story:
Grudgingly, House Accepts $284 Billion Bill (The Washington Post 3/11)
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How to Unite Congress: Spend Billions on Projects for Roads (The New York Times 3/11)
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Federal funding of $800,000 for bike trail possible (The Aberdeen American News 3/11)

Get the Bill:
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (H.R.3)

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