Now that a 2018 spending bill with a $21-billion hike for infrastructure programs is on the books, it looks like further public-works legislating will come in targeted bills, not a wide-ranging one.

Joung Lee, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials policy director,  says approving $200 billion in federal funds, as President Trump proposed in his $1.5-trillion plan, won’t be easy before the August recess. “After that,” Lee adds, “it’s hard to envision anything of significance happening towards the midterm elections.” Steve Hall, American Council of Engineering Companies vice president for government affairs, says, “The narrative that’s emerging” is that there won’t be a comprehensive infrastructure bill. Hall adds, “There’s  going to be multiple initiatives that really could form a larger infrastructure agenda. And it may extend well beyond this year.”