The Bush administration's proposal to spend $247 billion on highways and public transit the next six years faces opposition from Alaska Republican Don Young, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The plan, announced May 14, succeeds the current program that expires in October. It is 13 percent larger than the previous six-year plan, according to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.

Young, however, said the proposal is less than what was spent during the last six years, if adjusted to 2003 dollars.

"The administration's funding levels are inadequate to meet America's growing surface transportation needs,'' said Young, who has proposed spending $375 billion.

Young has proposed raising the fuel tax, among other proposals, to pay for his plan. He said additional spending would boost the economy and create 1.3 million jobs.

Meanwhile, both the Senate and the House GOP leadership will likely oppose a tax increase to pay for roads, The Associated Press reports.

Money for states to make roads safer would increase to about $8.66 billion over six years from about $3.97 billion. DOT head Mineta's goal is to reduce the highway fatality rate by one-third in five years.

He cited the number of traffic deaths each year - 43,000 - and their economic impact - $230 billion - and said it is "unacceptable."

New programs would reward states for improving safety.

A second program would award $50 million in grants to states that reduce traffic fatalities.

The grants would pay for improvements such as safer walkways to schools, better highway signs, improved intersections and fewer roadside obstacles.