In the face of a giant new highway bill, congressional lawmakers complained of a stipulation that a percentage of highway funds be earmarked for historical preservation of sites whose only connection to highways is that they are visible from the road. These projects have included restoring a Shaker barn outside Albany for $159,500, preserving the ancient mounds of oyster shells along the Maine coast for $364,000, and even spiffing up the West Virginia State Capitol for $620,000.

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