This is a really bone-headed idea that is being proposed.
Why does the Federal Government have to be involved in it at all? If a highway is beneficial for trade to both states as most highways are, there is no reason the states could not get together and arrange a joint construction project.
Of course, we need federal masterminds.
What happened to all the shovel-ready, infrastructure money?
Highway bills are always stuffed with pork.
Mandated pay scales or Union wage is what needs to be addressed
Currently a fork lift driver on a Los Angeles Freeway projects gets over $58 per hour for instance
We can’t afford to maintain our infrastructure at those rates
All the evidence here in Silicon Valley is that there’s plenty of money for plenty of projects everywhere. Berryessa Road near the flea market, almost every exit/entry from south of San Jose to Gilroy, and half of the Salinas exits are just what come to mind immediately.
And just who ran the hwy fun BROKE? with shovel ready, show jobs, of putting in those fancy medians with flowers? Wheel chair ramps on ever street crossing? Repaving Military base parking lots that did not need them and installing $7K speed bumps in 5 mph parking lots on Military bases? Commissary and Exchange for the Millington TN BUPERS Navy base. No other offices got them, just places used my most seniors.