Effort to Fix Highways That Divided Neighbors Hits GOP Roadblock

Republicans on a public works panel criticized a Democratic proposal for more money to reconnect urban communities split by highways, arguing it would unfairly channel funding toward cities and away from rural projects.

The objection, raised at a Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, could be a sticking point for a Democratic priority as lawmakers seek bipartisan compromise on infrastructure legislation and surface transportation reauthorization.

Senate Democrats, led by panel Chairman Tom Carper (Del.), introduced a bill (S. 1202) last month that would authorize $15 billion over five years for grants to remove or retrofit ...