State Transportation Leaders say they are ready to go.
Press Release Summary:
It is estimated that states could produce more than 5,000 highway projects valued at $65 billion and create 1.8 million jobs. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood invited state transportation leaders to meet with him and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to discuss transportation component of economic recovery package. At meeting, representatives from 37 state DOTs confirmed that they can deliver job-creating transportation projects once economic recovery legislation is signed into law.
Original Press Release:
State Transportation Leaders Tell LaHood, Emanuel "We Are Ready To Go!"
"We let them know we can deliver!" said Secretary Allen Biehler of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. "States had estimated in December that states could produce more than 5,000 highway projects valued at $65 billion and creating 1.8 million jobs. The economic recovery bills now in conference provide roughly half of that for highways, but if we can deliver one million jobs, that's serious stuff."
At a meeting today with top Administration officials, representatives from 37 state departments of transportation confirmed that they can deliver job-creating transportation projects once the economic recovery legislation is signed into law.
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood invited the state transportation leaders to
meet with him and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to discuss the transportation component of the economic recovery package.
Deborah Miller, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation, said,
"We're not doing business as usual. We are pledged to get our jobs out there as quickly
as possible."
John Njord, Director of the Utah Department of Transportation, said all of the
projects in his state will be under contract within 90 days, and will be completed this
year.
"States are already gearing up to push these projects out to bidders," said
AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley. "From Mississippi to California, the DOTs
are working with industry, local governments, and the federal agencies to ensure there is no delay." (Go to www.transportation.org to view a video featuring state examples
