Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe says highway bill compromise will be good for states

Inhofe said the bill would:

• Reduce the number of transportation programs covered by the bill by two-thirds, eliminating and consolidating those that are “duplicative or don't serve a national goal.”

• Reduce the environmental review process from an average of 15 years to seven years.

• Allow states to address their highest priorities rather than ones established in Washington.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., the lead Senate negotiator, said, “We speed up project delivery, cut red tape and do it without jeopardizing environmental laws. For the first time, we send half of the funds for bike paths and pedestrian walkways directly to local entities, and we protect those funds while giving states more flexibility on their share.

“Our country needs the kind of economic boost that this bill offers, and I am looking forward to getting it to the president's desk.”