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Yesterday, the Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (S. 1) by a 61 to 37 vote.

The $838 billion economic stimulus bill includes $8.4 billion for transit urban and rural formula programs, $2 billion for high-speed rail corridor investments, and $1.1 billion for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail grants. The legislation also proposes $5.5 billion for a new intermodal discretionary program that can be used for highway, bridge, public transportation, passenger- and freight-rail, and port infrastructure projects.

Now, House and Senate leaders will work to reconcile the differences between the two bills. They expect to approve a final stimulus package by week's end, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

The House's $819 billion version of the economic stimulus package — which was approved on Jan. 28 — includes $47 billion for transportation, including $27 billion for highways and bridges, $12 billion for mass transit and rail projects, and $300 million for  high-speed and intercity passenger-rail projects.