Infrastructure

WASHINGTON - Maryland Transportation Authority officials said yesterday that they plan to bring $425 million of grant anticipation revenue vehicle bonds to market in the coming weeks now that Congress and the Bush administration are moving toward enacting legislation that will transfer $8 billion of general funds to the beleaguered federal highway trust fund.

WASHINGTON - Congress yesterday passed legislation that would transfer $8 billion to the ailing highway trust fund after the federal government warned it would run out of money by the end of the month and states began cutting transportation projects, some of which relied in part on tax-exempt bonds.

The Federal Highway Administration yesterday denied the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's application to implement tolls on Interstate 80, a move that could encourage state lawmakers to consider an alternative transportation financing plan, a $12.8 billion concession agreement on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

WASHINGTON - The Maryland Transportation Authority yesterday postponed its sale of $425 million of grant anticipation revenue vehicles in what could be the first of several stalled transactions following the federal government's announcement that the federal highway trust fund is nearly depleted.

DALLAS - Kansas will tap into an authorization of $150 million of taxable bonds for aviation projects in the state with a $33 million issue to help Cessna Aircraft Co. finance the expansion of an aircraft assembly plant in Wichita.

CHICAGO - Ohio next week plans to enter the market with roughly $300 million of public infrastructure bonds backed by the state's full faith and credit as part of Gov. Ted Strickland's $1.57 billion economic stimulus plan.

New Jersey officials are moving ahead with proposed toll hikes on the state's three tolled highways while Republican lawmakers are calling for legislative hearings on the issue.

Wayne County Airport Authority officials are taking bids on naming rights for its new $431 million terminal at the Detroit Metro Airport. Officials said it is the first time an airport has sold naming rights for a terminal.

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said yesterday that he intends this week to pass a pending bill to rescue the nearly depleted highway trust fund and prevent the government from delaying payments to states, despite the successful efforts by two Republican senators to block passage of the bill Monday evening.

New York Gov. David Paterson said yesterday that two different project plans are on the table for a new Moynihan Station and that transportation issues - like rerouting service to a new station - still need to be worked out between Amtrak and other transit agencies that would use the station.