1.   The conservatives also succeeded in rejecting an affirmative action program aimed at hiring more minority subcontractors on federal highway projects.

2.   The force of public opinion stopped the highway project.

3.   The highway project was protracted by years of litigation.

4.   As a result, the Bush administration backs a bill that would make it harder for EPA to stop highway projects.

5.   As a result, the agency this week began to withhold approval for area highway projects that widen roads or add lanes.

6.   As a result, the Bush administration backs a bill that make it harder for EPA to stop highway projects.

7.   At issue are billions of dollars in federal gas tax money used by the states for highway projects.

8.   A nonminority company filed suit after it submitted the low bid but lost a subcontract on a Federal highway project to a Hispanic-owned company.

9.   Also on the list are highway demonstration projects requested by members of Congress, one of the most popular forms of pork barrel in Washington.

10.   But the problem will be solved when the airport-related highway projects are completed.