Transportation leaders may push for a conference agreement on the federal highway and transit program reauthorization during the coming “lame duck” session, but many say it is more likely the bill will be reintroduced in the 109th Congress next year.

The lame duck session begins Nov. 16. The current continuing resolution expires Nov. 20, and action must be taken to keep federal agencies in operation.

As of Election Day, $299 billion had been proposed for the highway bill by the House conferees, which had received a sign-off from the administration. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats indicated they would hold out for the Senate’s original funding proposal of $318 billion.

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century expired Sept. 30, 2003, and federal highway and transit programs have been kept alive through a series of short-term extensions. The most recent extension prolongs the program for eight months, until May 31, 2005. That enables transportation leaders to defer action on the bill until the 109th Congress convenes next year.