Building America’s Future Applauds Congress for Investing in Infrastructure, Creating Jobs

Stimulus bill provides down payment to address massive needs; Coalition urges states and localities to spend it wisely

Washington, DC "Today Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with the goal of stimulating the economy and putting millions of American's back to work, particularly through fixing America's roads,bridges and other necessary infrastructure projects. In response, Polly Trottenberg, executive  director of Building America's Future, a bipartisan and national infrastructure coalition co-chaired by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA), Governor Edward Rendell (PA) and Mayor Michael Bloomberg (NYC), issued the following response:

"We thank Congress for coming together to pass a far-reaching economic recovery package that will create jobs and jumpstart our nation's efforts to repair and upgrade our infrastructure, as well as invest in projects critical for our long-term economic growth.

"We're particularly pleased that they included groundbreaking transparency and accountability measures to help guarantee that the funds will be spent wisely and effectively.Making the states and localities report back performance data, such as if a project is on time, on budget and how !many jobs it will create will help policymakers and the public understand which types of projects have the greatest economic benefits.

“It’s estimated that our country needs $2.2 trillion of investment just to get our current infrastructure in 'good' condition. The bill will go a long way in getting people back to work and funding critical projects across the country, but it’s just the start. A great start to be sure, but a start nonetheless.

“We also urge states and localities to spend this money wisely. Ninety-four percent of Americans believe that nfrastructure nvestment is important, but states and cities must prove to them that they will not waste their taxpayer dollars on unnecessary projects. We believe that all funds should be allocated to projects that will create jobs and long-term economic prosperity, increase energy independence and sustainability, and improve quality of life and public safety for our citizens and communities."

Infrastructure investments in the economic stimulus bill include:

$27.5 billion for modernizing roads and bridges 

$11 billion toward smart-grid technologies to run the power grid more efficiently

$8.4 billion for transit

$8 billion for high- speed rail projects 

$7.2 billion to bring broadband Internet service to underserved areas

$6 billion for clean and drinking water projects 

$4.6 billion for water infrastructure projects undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

$4.5 billion to make federal office buildings more energy-efficient 

$4 billion for public housing improvements 

$1.5 billion for surface transportation (including highway,bridge,public transit, intercity passengerrail, freight rail, and port infrastructure grants)

$1.3 billion for Amtrak (capital grants and security upgrades)

$1.3 billion for aviation 

(Source:Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Associated Press)

Building America's Future (www.BAFuture.org) is a bipartisan and national coalition of elected  officials dedicated to bringing abou a new era of U.S. investment in infrastructure that enhances our nation's prosperity and quality of life. Founded in January 2008 by Governor Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York, BAF boasts a politically and regionally diverse membership of state and local elected officials from across the nation. BAF seeks to advance a new national vision for infrastructure investment that strengthens our cities and rural communities, and focuses on economic growth and global competitiveness, creation of economic opportunity for all Americans, and environmental sustainability.