highways

The warm, brown winter that has disappointed snow lovers in much of the U.S. has put more green in the pockets of state and local governments that had their budgets busted last year by the high cost of keeping streets and highways clear.

Kraft Foods Inc. and Home Depot Inc. are among a growing list of companies supporting an increase in the weight limit of trucks allowed on the nation's highways.

The job market and economy need a serious jumpstart, but the stimulus program likely won't be able to do it.

The $787 billion stimulus program is running at its peak, with 30,000 miles of highways being improved, more than 2,800 water projects started and 120,000 homes weatherized this summer alone.

Under the economic stimulus plan, needy communities were supposed to be first in line for money to rebuild highways and jump start the economy. It hasn't worked out that way.