Infrastructure Bank Included in 2011 US Budget

The infrastructure bank -- called a National Infrastructure Innovation and Finance Fund -- would be used to expand existing federal transportation investments by providing direct federal funding and seed money for large-scale capital project grants that "provide a significant economic benefit to the nation or a region."

The New York Times reports that the $4 billion plan includes $2.6 billion for grants or loans during the 2011 fiscal year. $270 would be used to establish the bank and take care of other administrative costs.