When asked about the status of allocating the $1.5 billion in discretionary grants to fund large transportation projects of all modes, LaHood? said that DOT has sent the White House a memo containing a set of proposed guidelines.

He also told a Senate Subcommittee that the administration's support for investment in highways in the ARRA does not mean that the president is not committed to expanding mass transit.

"Innovative policies such as road pricing can, where appropriate, significantly reduce congestion by providing users with incentives to shift non-essential travel to off-peak hours or seek alternatives to peak driving," LaHood? told the Senate Commerce Surface Transportation Subcommittee. "The availability of reasonable alternatives to driving is crucial to the success of such innovation".

For coverage of the Senate Commerce Surface Transportation Subcommittee hearing visit click here

For coverage of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing visit click here