WASHINGTON U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expects the Obama administration and Congress to complete the delayed highway and public transit funding bill before the end of the year.

Others arent so sure.

The legislation authorizing federal long-term transportation spending expired in September. Since then, Congress has passed a series of short-term extensions. The program currently has funding through late February.

The Obama administration in June asked for an 18-month delay in reauthorizing the surface transportation program.

"President Obama wants a robust, comprehensive transportation bill that meets the needs of America," LaHood said at a meeting here. "The problem is that bill costs between $400 billion and $500 billion."

LaHood has repeatedly said the administration opposes raising fuel taxes to cover spending in a new bill.

"We want to work with Congress . . . to find the money to pay for it," LaHood said. "We will get there; I believe we will get there this year."

A number of Washington observers arent so sanguine. They note that no one has come up with a plan -- for funding the massive highway bill -- that holds a promise of making it through Congress.

Now theres a new potentially complicating factor, the impact of President Obamas proposed three-year freeze on government spending, beginning next year.

Industry and government officials are unsure how the freeze might affect transportation spending and the chances for a new highway bill.

"Were hearing lots of different messages," said an executive with one construction industry trade association, adding that it was "almost a moot question without an answer to what are they going to do about the Highway Trust Fund."

The Congressional Budget Office projects that by year-end, the highway fund would have only $3 billion remaining, or about one month of spending during the peak construction season.