The Infrastructurist blog takes on the question of when the long-term transportation bill will come up. Federal transportation funding got a much-needed reprieve last week when President Obama signed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, which will ensure sufficient federal highway and transit funding for the near future.

All of which is a huge relief to just about everyone involved in the construction and transportation biz. But there’s still a large piece missing: We’re still in dire need of a long-term transportation bill that defines this administration’s goals and priorities for the future of U.S. transportation.

So what are our chances of getting one passed during this session of Congress? Not good. Not good at all.

The Senate gave final approval Wednesday morning to a bill known as the “HIRE Act” containing seven transportation provisions including an extension of authorization for federal highway and transit programs through Dec. 31 as well as providing $19.5 billion to the Highway Trust Fund. Today’s vote to concur with House amendments sends the legislation to President Barack Obama.

RTD’s sales tax revenue for January retreated slightly after two months of gains, even as Colorado’s statewide sales tax collections for January retail sales went up two percent.

The Vail Daily reports that Avon officials are seeking public feedback on proposed $66 million worth of transportation improvements over 20 years. A 500-space parking garage in downtown Avon, bus service to the Wal-Mart shopping center and 15 miles worth of sidewalks and bike trails are among the projects under consideration.

Town officials are considering putting a question on the ballot for a tax increase to pay for the projects. One option could include a combination of sales and property tax increases. The sales tax would rise 0.85 percent, or 85 cents on $100. Property taxes would increase 4.5 mills. The property tax increase could happen in two phases, with half the increase going into effect in 2011 and the rest in 2017.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports that a bill to give unincorporated metropolitan districts like Pueblo West and Colorado City the authority to collect sales tax for road improvements has moved forward in the legislature.

The House Transportation and Energy Committee unanimously passed HB 1243, sponsored by Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West.

The bill would allow metro districts to ask voters who reside in them to adopt sales taxes that would fund improvements to roads.

The Denver Business Journal reports that Democratic lawmakers killed four more bills sponsored by Republicans that were aimed at modifying the controversial late fees that were part of last year’s FASTER bill to raise money for bridge and road repair. Two bills making changes to the fees, sponsored by Democrats, have gone forward.

Reuters reports that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Thursday that U.S. government could issue debt to help underpin infrastructure bank financing for priority highway, transit and other big-ticket projects. LaHood again ruled out a gas tax hike to boost construction upgrades, saying the Obama administration and Congress must shift away from traditional funding mechanisms.

The House of Representatives approved an amended job-creation bill this afternoon that would extend Highway Trust Fund authorization until Dec. 31, deposit $19.5 billion of general revenue into the Highway Trust Fund, restore this fiscal year’s highway funding to $42 billion from $30 billion, and offer additional federal support for states and localities that wish to issue Build America Bonds to finance infrastructure construction.

The Bond Buyer reports that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said at a conference sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials that the Obama administration will unveil its principles for a new multi-year transportation bill within the next 90 days. He would not say if the principles will contain recommendations for a revenue source to pay for a multi-year program.

Streetsblog reports that the Senate on Wednesday took its first steps towards voting on a new long-term federal transportation bill, with environment committee chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) vowing to take up a successor to the 2005 infrastructure law before 2011 and indicating she would use the House’s already-introduced version as a framework.