TEA-21: Road and Rail Funding's New Stake: Mixed results seen as program gears up for reauthorization

A little more than halfway through its six-year cycle, the landmark Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century is delivering on its promise of getting more highway and rail miles built than anyone could have dreamed. But in the three years since TEA-21's enactment in 1998, there are still bumps in those road and railbeds. Industry officials argue that infrastructure needs still vastly outweigh current funding. They further worry that the nation's economic downturn is playing havoc with some states' ability to come up with matching funds to the federal allotment and is forcing some transportation agencies to delay or cancel planned projects.