Funding of 9,500 state department of transportation-identified, ‘read-to-go’ infrastructure projects, valued at $69 billion-plus, would create thousands of new jobs, according to a report announced at a Capitol Hill briefing, the day prior to the White House Job Summit
Source: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
Funding of 9,500 state department of transportation-identified, Îready-to-goÌ infrastructure projects, valued at $69 billion-plus, would create thousands of new jobs, according to a report announced at a Capitol Hill briefing, the day prior to the White House Job Summit. “State DOTs have proven these projects are a great way to put people back to work, quickly and efficiently,” said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley, adding that unemployment in construction trades exceeds 18 percent. “We’re dedicated to getting projects out to bid fast, but committed to making certain that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely.”
Ready-to-go indicates a project can gain federal approval within 120 days of enactment of authorizing legislation, thus enabling a state to proceed toward construction. AASHTO’s report is based on responses from 50 states and the District of Columbia, and spans about 7,500 highway and 2,000 transit, rail, port, aviation, and intermodal jobs. Joining Horsley for the December 2 announcement were House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), and House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR). The association also presented the report to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
“We hope Congress will use this survey to make the case that investments in transportation infrastructure projects are guaranteed to create jobs,” Horsley said. “A bright spot of the economic recovery act continues to be state transportation projects that are pumping billions of dollars into households and businesses while fixing our broken transportation network.” As of November 20, 10,600 transportation projects worth more than $30 billion have been approved for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, he added.