The Lame Duck session of Congress adjourned without the passage of a multi-year surface transportation bill.  Many observers feel the only hope for passage of a robust, long-term bill before 2013 (following the 2012 Presidential election) is during the first six-months of 2011.  However, that would presumably require agreement on additional revenue, such as a gas tax, a highly contentious issue.  While the early part of a new session of Congress may be the least politically contentious period, it is also a time when new members are learning the ropes, particularly in the House where the Republicans now have a majority of members. 

During the Lame Duck session Congress did pass another short-term extension of SAFETEA-LU, as part of the CR, this time lasting through March 4, 2011.

In congressional testimony this Fall, senior US DOT officials indicated they plan to submit details of the Administration's surface transportation authorization proposal, including specifics about the front-loaded $50B infrastructure investment, as part of their FY'12 budget request in February.  No new details were provided on how the $50B would be funded or how a new Infrastructure Bank proposal would be funded or implemented.