At the risk of starting yet another political discussion, for the benefit of those who were worried about the abolition of the Surface Transportation "Enhancement" program, the U.S. House has voted 327 to 90 to preserve this program in the Fiscal 2004 USDOT budget bill. The Senate is enacting a different budget bill, and the actual bill will be written in a conference committee. However, the Enhancement program is likely to be carried through the conference committee bill.

This will preserve the Enhancement program during the temporary lapse between its expiration on Sept. 30 and the enactment of a new, long-term "highway bill." Most observers feel there is no chance that the Enhancement program will not be reauthorized, for the comfort of those who expect to score a handout for their railroad museum or old depot in Fiscal Years 2004 or later.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee had attempted to temporarily abolish the requirement to spend 10 per cent of STP dollars on Enhancements by making the program optional for state governments. But the program was continued as a result of lobbying by bicycle interests, who feared that the states wouldn't spend these gas-tax dollars for other than highways unless forced to.

All who would use money from this source are cautioned that this is actually federal highway aid, and projects must comply with all federal highway contract requirements, and be built to FHWA standards if applicable. That is not why the Owosso turntable foundation has 55 tons of rebar in it, but it did feel as though 55 tons of paperwork had to be approved before the minor share of this project's cost that came from the Enhancement program could be used. (The new Steam Railroading Institute turntable was sized to accommodate most 4-8-4's or a SD70MAC, because You Never Know.)

- Aarne Frobom

Aarne,

To me, this is exactly the kind of useful info on what politically is coming down the road that I come to RYPN for. Thanks.

Tim

> Aarne,

> To me, this is exactly the kind of useful
> info on what politically is coming down the
> road that I come to RYPN for. Thanks.

> Tim

Dispassionate, factual, a most useful post

superheater@rrmail.com