After President Barack Obama signed the American Investment and Recovery Act of 2009 last month, Portland Cement Association Senior Vice President of
CP Staff
After President Barack Obama signed the American Investment and Recovery Act of 2009 last month, Portland Cement Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs John Shaw noted a need for additional transportation and infrastructure funding beyond that contained in the $787 billion stimulus plan.
There are many commendable portions of the economic stimulus bill, but there is still much work to be done, he said. The best way to get America working again is through the most measurable metric Û road and bridge construction. We hope Congress will continue to address our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and continue putting Americans back to work by making transportation-related legislation a priority in the 111th session.
Shaw stressed keeping states and local agencies accountable for the money that has been allocated to them. The Administration has recognized the importance of transparency and accountability for the programs within the bill. Our infrastructure must be constructed with the highest quality materials that reduce future maintenance and ensure durability, he affirmed. By investing properly we can free up more money for states and communities to use for vital services like schools and police.
Infrastructure investment will add jobs and put money back in the pockets of motorists. According to the 2009 American Society of Civil Engineers Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic at a cost to the economy of $78.2 billion, or $710 per motorist. Additionally, congestion on crowded roadways contributes 27.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.