On Sunday, the Senate approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill for fiscal year 2010, which includes $41 billion for highway construction, a slight increase from last year

, according to the Associated Press. The spending bill, which would fund nine cabinet agencies as well as benefit programs, has been sent to President Obama for his approval. The Senate voted for the bill by a margin of 57-35.

According to NPR, the legislation is a package of six different spending bills that were combined due to other regulatory priorities, including the health care debate. It will fund much of the government through September 2010.

NPR reports that the bill would also put more funds into high-speed rail programs.

The bill also includes a provision that would launch a one-year pilot program to test heavier tractor-trailers in Maine and Vermont. The Maine/Vermont provision would allow 108,000 to 120,000-pound six-axle trucks to operate on interstate roads and bridges in Vermont and 100,000-pound six-axle trucks on all Maine Interstate highways. The current Vermont limit for truck weights is 80,000 pounds gross weight. In addition, trucks hauling certain commodities can be operated at up to 99,000 pounds.

Besides transportation, the bill also earmarks funds to go toward health, education, law enforcement and veterans.