Salazar proposes northern Colorado projects for appropriations bill

President Bush has said he would veto next year's appropriations bill for transportation, housing and urban development, but changes might be coming as Congress hammers out differences between two versions.

If the Senate version of the measure makes it to the president's desk, it will include several million dollars in funding for northern Colorado road projects, including Interstate 25.

U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., said he supports the $104.6 billion funding package, which has money for several infrastructure improvement projects throughout the country.

He said three regional projects would continue to receive $13 million in funds, which are called "SAFETEA-LU" for Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, under the bill.

That includes $9 million for improvements to the northern I-25 corridor, from Denver to Fort Collins; $2 million for improvements to I-25 at Colo. 395 in Windsor; and $2 million for improvements to I-25 at U.S. 34 in Loveland.

The House and Senate have to reconcile their differences, approve the changes and then send a final version to President Bush. He said he would veto it in its current form, Salazar's office said.