States identify ready-to-go’ projects

WASHINGTON, D.C.—"President-elect Barrack Obama is pledging to put millions of Americans to work by building and repairing the nation’s highways and bridges, and a new survey of state ’ready-to-go’ transportation projects is the road map he needs to make it happen," said John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

The District of Columbia and all 50 state departments of transportation (DOTs) responded to the survey, identifying more than 5,000 ready-to-go projects worth $64 billion. These transportation infrastructure projects are considered ready to go because they could be under contract within 180 days, supporting an estimated 1.8 million American jobs, if the funding were made available.

"Right now, 41 states are facing budget shortfalls and many of our state departments of transportation have had no choice but to delay critical projects that will fill potholes, enhance safety, and extend the lifespan of the nation’s aging bridges," Horsley said. "This survey shows that state DOTs are ready to quickly put the economic stimulus dollars and people to work."
In a similar AASHTO survey conducted in January 2008, all 50 states and the District of Columbia responded, identifying approximately 3,000 projects worth $18 billion that could be under contract within 90 days.

The Federal Highway Administration estimates that approximately 35,000 jobs are supported by every $1.25 billion invested in transportation projects.

In addition to the highway projects, some states also indentified transit, rail, water, and aviation ready-to-go projects.