The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), which represents North American steel producers and suppliers to the steel industry, applauded Congress’ passage of a House-Senate compromise on a bill to reauthorize surface transportation programs for the next five years. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) is the first long-term transportation bill to be passed by Congress in 10 years. Provisions benefiting the steel industry, according to AISI, include: accelerated project delivery via permit streamlining; the promotion of public-private partnerships; a national freight program aimed at reducing congestion; innovative funding for bridge construction; and, a review of cost-saving bridge design and construction techniques to include life-cycle costs.