The commercial construction industry can breathe slightly easier with Congress having passed a 90-day extension of current funding levels for highway and transportation projects. Programs had been set to shut down Saturday at midnight if something wasn't done.

Long-term funding, which lawmakers had been trying to get in place, remains uncertain. A House bill has encountered opposition, and a Senate plan is not gaining traction.

This is the ninth time since September 2009 that Washington has come up with stopgap funding while being unable to agree on a longer-term plan.

The Senate passed the latest patch in the funding pipeline on a voice vote after the House had approved it measure by a 266-158 tally.

President Obama is expected to sign the legislation before the current authorization expires.