A surface-transportation authorization is construction's No. 1 legislative priority this year and tops the agenda for Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), the new chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW). Inhofe is seeking "a fiscally responsible, long-term transportation bill that builds upon reforms in MAP-21, better coordinates funding needs with private and state partners, and eliminates wasteful spending," according to a document provided for a media briefing in early January.