Rep. Vern Buchanan votes for national highway bill, which could include money for projects in Manatee, Sarasota

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, was part of a large majority in the House of Representatives that voted to approve a $325 billion highway bill that provides funding for critical transportation needs across the country, possibly including projects in Manatee and Sarasota.

Under the bill, which passed the House 363-64 and is now headed to a House-Senate conference committee, Florida will get $11 billion over six years to support transportation and infrastructure projects.

Some projects eligible for funding in Manatee and Sarasota include:

n The I-75/University Parkway "diverging diamond interchange."

n Repairing the Cortez Bridge in Manatee County.

n Widening Interstate 75 from north of State Road 64 to north of U.S. 301.

n Reconstructing the I-75/U.S. 301 Interchange in Manatee County.

n Widening U.S. 301 between County Road 675 and Moccasin Wallow Road.

"This bill provides critical funding to repair our roads and bridges," Buchanan said in a release. "It's another example of what Washington can do when both parties work together on behalf of the country."

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 4:57 PM with the headline "Rep. Vern Buchanan votes for national highway bill, which could include money for projects in Manatee, Sarasota ."