The budget also calls for "America Fast Forward" infrastructure bonds, similar to the popular "Build America" bond program that expired in 2010.

Elsewhere in the budget, there is good news for General Services Administration federal-buildings construction. The proposal seeks $816 million for GSA's construction account, well above 2013's $56 million. The request includes $1.2 billion for GSA repairs and alterations, more than double 2013 appropriations of $495 million.

Andrew Goldberg, American Institute of Architects' managing director for government relations, says that, in the budget, "There's a major commitment not just to infrastructure generally, [and] the budget recognizes that buildings are a part of that infrastructure." He adds, "The hard part is going to be Congress."

SRFs on the Block

But the budget request has minus signs, too. Environmental Protection Agency aid to state revolving funds (SRFs) to finance wastewater-treatment and drinking-water projects would be sliced by a combined 20%, to $1.9 billion. "The SRF funds really got whacked," says Bill Hillman, National Utility Contractors Association CEO. The proposed cut is "a bad move at the wrong time."

Agriculture Dept. grants and loans for rural water and wastewater projects would be cut 40%, to $304 million.

Even though funding for the latest defense-base closure round is near its end, military construction would rise about 5%, to $9.7 billion, in the president's proposal. The Air Force FY14 construction request is up sharply, to more than $1.1 billion, compared with 2013 appropriations of $323 million. But Army construction would fall 34%, to $1.1 billion.

"I would call [the budget] a mixed bag," says Sean O'Neill, Associated General Contractors director of congressional relations for infrastructure advancement. "It's a proposal. We'll see what the coming weeks and months hold for the budget and appropriations process."