Report: Road projects could spur 1.8 million jobs

[sabra]

Source: CNN

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- America's roads and bridges need critical repairs that would total $64 billion, and construction could begin within six months if the federal government makes the funds available, according to a new report.
This bridge column in Pennsylvania was fixed this year. Interstate 95 was closed during the repairs.

The report, by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, surveyed all 50 states and found 5,148 road and bridge projects that are considered "ready to go."

"As Congress and the president-elect look at the issue of, can infrastructure play a major role in economy recovery, the first question they ask is, 'Can you deliver projects -- shovels in the ground -- quickly?' And what we've documented through the survey we've just completed is that yes indeed, we can," John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State, Highway and Transportation Officials, told CNN.

The association estimates 1.8 million new jobs could be created if the infrastructure improvements are funded by Congress.

"You've got states in every part of the country with projects that are ready to go that can put people back to work," Horsley said.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/08/road.projects/

[kestrel91316]

1. I don't want to hear any nonsense about how Americans won't do these jobs, either.

I want to see laid-off WHITE collar workers applying for the jobs right there with BLUE collar folks.

There's nothing wrong with honest physical labor.

[CottonBear]

4. Civil, structural & geo technical engineers along with construction companies

would all be part of the design and construction work for these projects.

I work in the civil engineering and land planning field and MANY consulting/design firms and construction businesses are laying off white and blue collar employees here in the Southeastern USA.

The GA DOT has been laying off people and delaying projects due to the governor's required 10% departmental budget cutting and the abysmal economy which means lower state tax revenue.

[OhioChick]

11. White collar worker here....

If I could do physical labor, I wouldn't have a problem with it. However, it would be impossible for me having FMS.

[Robbien]

2. I would be more excited if they were talking about building more rails

Public transportation is the pits in America. Re-building roads for gas guzzling cars just doesn't do anything but give jobs to road workers. Building a rail system creates jobs and cuts down on fossil fuel use.

[Gin]

3. I am female, unemployed, and too old to do construction....hope the job market

has some room or me in this public works project.

[eilen]

5. I'd like to see our crumbling schools repaired and modernized.

and I have my RN, I'll queue up for public health if they would hire me (mostly want BSN's) to give flu and pneumonia shots.

[jetphixer]

6. Job's

He has indicated there will be jobs in IT an jobs in places ohter than road/bridge tunnel construction

[nichomachus]

7. There is the multiplier effect

If you have 1.8 million people working at good-paying jobs, then they will spend a lot of that money. They will shop, eat out, buy cars, go to the movies -- and that will create millions of more jobs in other sectors.

[izquierdista]

9. The job market

You may not be well suited for a physically demanding job, but public works projects also need schedulers, buyers, quality assurance, safety, human resources, equipment maintenance, environmental, accounts payable and receivable, and other support personnel.

[freedomnorth]

8. Sounds like a New Deal. n/t.

[aquart]

10. Bush coulda done it when that bridge collapsed.

Never even considered it.