As the Democrat and Republican Conventions get underway, the Alliance for Improving America's Infrastructure is calling on Senators Barack Obama and John McCain as well as Members of Congress to support a new economic stimulus package to provide funding for the country's crumbling highways, bridges and transportation systems, potentially creating 750,000 jobs throughout the country within 90 days.
"Finding solutions to America's crumbling infrastructure is an issue that Senators Obama and McCain and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle should embrace," said National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler. "There are 18 billion dollars in infrastructure projects across the nation that are ready to go - not 'roads to nowhere,' but projects that have been studied at length and validated beyond question. We must join together to find solutions to this crisis - and creating jobs by funding the 3,000 highway and transportation projects that are ready to begin immediately is a good place to start."
Based on a national survey conducted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), there are more than 3,000 infrastructure projects nationwide, totaling over $18 billion, that are ready to be built. Once these projects are funded, it will be only three months before supplies are purchased and workers start receiving - and spending - their paychecks.
Lobbying Presidential Candidates, Congress
"Both presidential candidates, along with Congress, must not waste this critical opportunity to put the economy back on track by funding critical infrastructure projects in a stimulus bill, one of the most immediate and sustainable ways to shore up our struggling economy," said former Sen. Jim Talent, Honorary Chairman of the Alliance for Improving America's Infrastructure. "Investments in our country's roads, rails and bridges literally pay for themselves, creating a five-fold return in benefits to the state and national economy. For every billion dollars spent on infrastructure, 42,000 jobs are created or sustained, and more than $5.70 of economic benefits is generated for every dollar invested."
Formed under the leadership of the National Association of Manufacturers, the Alliance for Improving America's Infrastructure is partnering with congressional leaders, transportation officials, manufacturers, associations and citizens committed to upgrading and modernizing America's transportation infrastructure system. Improving our nation's infrastructure and transportation systems will save lives, improve the environment, and create jobs for generations to come. For more information go to www.GetAmericaMoving.com.
Projects Could Start in 30 to 90 Days
State transportation departments could award and begin more than 3,000 highway projects totaling approximately $18 billion within 30-90 days from enactment of federal economic stimulus legislation, according to a survey by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. In addition to the highway projects, 16 states also reported ready-to-go transit, rail and waterways projects identified by an asterisk.Source: Alliance for Improving America's Infrastructure| State | Number of Projects | Dollar Amount (in millions) |
| Alabama | 128 | $671.1 |
| Alaska | 7 | $92.6 |
| *Arizona | 39 | $790.0 |
| Arkansas | 107 | $728.3 |
| California | 28 | $800.0 |
| Colorado | 52 | $395.1 |
| *Connecticut | 20 | $728.5 |
| *DC | 1 | $50.0 |
| Florida | 5 | $675.0 |
| Georgia | 32 | $397.3 |
| Hawaii | 6 | $42.0 |
| Idaho | 11 | $174.8 |
| *Illinois | 212 | $831.4 |
| Iowa | 40 | $152.0 |
| *Kansas | 126 | $68.0 |
| Kentucky | 4 | $200.0 |
| Louisiana | 208 | $351.4 |
| *Maine | 15 | $94.1 |
| *Maryland | 32 | $94.6 |
| *Massachusetts | 59 | $181.5 |
| *Michigan | 43 | $257.0 |
| Minnesota | 30 | $217.8 |
| Mississippi | 33 | $176.2 |
| *Missouri | 127 | $546.6 |
| Montana | 70 | $116.0 |
| Nebraska | 5 | $20.0 |
| Nevada | 4 | $120.0 |
| New Hampshire | 11 | $81.3 |
| *New Jersey | 7 | $50.8 |
| New Mexico | 77 | $1,400.0 |
| *New York | 40 | $200.0 |
| North Carolina | 44 | $231.4 |
| North Dakota | 90 | $71.0 |
| *Ohio | 114 | $299.3 |
| Oklahoma | 73 | $146.4 |
| Oregon | 50 | $251.2 |
| *Pennsylvania | 524 | $1,300.0 |
| Rhode Island | 41 | $102.0 |
| South Carolina | 58 | $510.0 |
| South Dakota | 142 | $181.0 |
| Tennessee | 74 | $184.1 |
| Texas | 44 | $1,800.0 |
| Utah | 84 | $425.1 |
| *Vermont | 11 | $62.6 |
| Virginia | 1 | $101.9 |
| West Virginia | 67 | $1,200.0 |
| *Wisconsin | 20 | $35.0 |
| Wyoming | 55 | $287.2 |
| Total | 3071 | $17,891.6 |
