The dimensions of federal spending to rebuild hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast infrastructure are becoming clearer. President Bush on Oct. 28 asked Congress to transfer $17.1 billion from approved but unspent Federal Emergency Management Agency relief aid to highways, levees and other infrastructure pummeled by recent storms.

Industry officials think appropriators will approve the plan, though maybe with changes. "Obviously the needs are there," says Cathy Connor, Parsons Brinckerhoff senior vice president for government affairs. Because the White House is proposing to reprogram existing spending, "it seems like it would be a pretty popular move," she adds.