Highway funding will likely be near the top of the Congressional agenda when business resumes after the holiday break. That's because the Highway Trust Fund will run out of money late this month or early next.
It receives money from federal fuel taxes and funds several accounts, including the one that pays for road construction.
Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke says he hopes a long term solution can be hammered out.
"A lot of these projects have been delayed. Uncertainty causes great cost. I'm looking for some solutions to have a long term highway bill and I'm working with all parties to come up with some ideas. I don't sit on that committee, but certainly have some influence because Montana - we have a lot of infrastructure and a lot of roads and roads are important to Montana."
Long term funding of the trust has proven elusive. Politicians don't want to anger constituents by hiking gas taxes or enacting billions of dollar in spending cuts. So instead, they've opted for a series of short-term funding extensions.
If Congress can't reach an agreement this summer that raises the possibility of a transportation construction shut down at the height of construction season.
