These increases could be considered as part of the annual budget process over the next six years, but they also must compete with other priorities. The bill authorizes higher funding for every one of our core highway programs. That's almost as much as the total transportation program of a couple of cycles ago. Congress answered the President's call to improve the transportation corridors and border crossings, and created special programs to do exactly that. This initiative offers a way to pay for large projects of national significance, such as trade corridors, border crossings, freight facilities, and high-speed rail projects.
States also can use funds from state infrastructure banks.
You know that SIBs use federal seed capital to leverage private investment through loans and credit enhancement assistance. Under TEA-21, Congress added four new pilot projects to those authorized by 1995's NHS Act. All of these programs are important, but as I said earlier, this historic legislation is about more than money. Most importantly, TEA-21 enhances Americans' safety through campaigns to protect drivers and passengers and to fight drunk driving. And we're moving ahead to develop advanced air bag technologies that protect children while preserving the lifesaving benefits for everyone else.