Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005

This bill, known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA), is a major funding package designed to maintain and improve the nation’s highway and transit infrastructure through 2009. It authorizes billions of dollars from the Highway Trust Fund for road construction, bridge repairs, and surface transportation research across all 50 states.

For the average citizen, this legislation aims to improve daily commutes and road safety by establishing new programs for highway safety, "safe routes to school" for children, and efforts to reduce traffic congestion. It also focuses on modernizing transportation technology and improving freight movement to ensure that goods and services reach consumers more efficiently. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for environmental protections, such as managing highway stormwater runoff and promoting the use of recycled materials in federal construction projects.