By Lisa Autry/KPR
Louisville, KY – States all over the country are ramping up pressure on congress to extend the Federal Transportation Bill, which expires at the end of next month. Kentucky transportation secretary Mike Hancock says highway construction and repairs would have to be canceled or delayed if congress allows the bill to expire. Hancock is president of the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation officials, which concluded its annual meeting in Louisville Tuesday. Officials are calling on congress to act before the nation's surface transportation program expires September 30th. Funding to states will cease without an extension or re-authorization of the program. As Hancock put it, states need certainty. Kentucky is scheduled to starting taking bids on several projects September 23rd, a week before the expiration deadline. Hancock said the bid-letting will go on as scheduled, but the cabinet could be forced to hold off on awarding contracts.