The Nation - News from Aug. 17, 1986

The interstate highway system laid out 30 years ago and now about 98% complete would be finished under a multibillion-dollar authorization bill approved by the House. Passed on a 345-34 vote and sent to the Senate, the measure authorizes $13.9 billion a year from the highway trust fund for construction, bridge rebuilding and other projects. To complete 1,203 miles of the 42,500-mile highway network, the bill authorizes $3.3 billion a year through 1992 and $1.7 billion in 1993. Money was also approved for nationwide mass transit systems, starting with $3.2 billion in 1987 and reaching $4.15 billion in 1991.