While healthcare has dominated the news cycle today, you should all be aware that an agreement was reached last night on a new Federal Surface Transportation Bill. The current bill (SAFETEA-LU) expired in 2009, and existing programs have been level-funded (at 2009 levels) under continuing resolutions since then.

For those of you who follow these matters, there are two federal programs that center on bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure projects (the Transportation Enhancement and Safe Routes to School Programs). Both programs are very popular amongst New Hampshire municipalities, and both will see substantial changes in the pending Federal Transportation Bill.

Details about the bill are still emerging, and I'm not going to editorialize. But, you might be interested in reading the National Safe Routes to School Partnership's statement linked below:

http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/about/statement-new-transportation-bill