The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $286.5 billion highway and transit construction bill Friday known as the Transportation Equity Act – Legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU). The Senate was expected to pass the legislation the same day and President Bush is expected to sign the bill.

Congress has passed 11 stop-gap bills to cover costs of highway and transit spending since the previous legislation expired in September 2003. The new bill is retroactive to 2004 and runs through 2009.

In addition to spending on highway and transit, the bill will improve work zone safety, reform the environmental review process and provide funds to retrofit diesel powered construction equipment to improve air quality.