Economic Stimulus Package
Jan 22, 2009
Infrastructure spending to rebuild America coast to coast is the cornerstone of the Economic Stimulus initiative due to be signed as early as the end of January or early February 2009 according to one key voice, Democratic Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“Infrastructure will be the main feature in this stimulus package,” said Oberstar.
The proposed initiative being assembled by the incoming administration totals around $850 billion, which will incorporate spending on infrastructure projects such as improving roads, bridges, airports, railways, waste water treatment facilities and more.
“I expect to be able to sign a bill shortly after taking office,” Obama is quoted as saying on CBS/AP News. When pressed on timing, he said, “By the end of January or the first of February.”
According to Oberstar priority will be given to “ready to go” projects that could award contracts in 90 to 120 days.
To make sure city projects are funded, the US Conference of Mayors is pushing a slate of 4,591 infrastructure projects costing $24.4 billion
Here in Southern California, cities with shelf ready designs could be the first to benefit from the billions in infrastructure funding.
“What is important for cities to recognize is to invest now in their infrastructure
projects locally, to have plans ready now, so that when the stimulus money is
released they are ready to go out to construction so their city is first to benefit from this opportunity,” advises Sid Mousavi, P.E., CEO, AAE Inc., and former City Manager and Public Works Director.
“Now is the time for cities to be pro-active or they could lose out.”
In addition green projects, those that benefit the environment, could get priority. “Signal coordination and timing plans for cities could be excellent stimulus package projects because they save fuel, minimize stops, improve air quality, in addition to wear and tear on cars and nerves,” said Pat Lang, T.E. and Director of Transportation of Mobility Solutions, a local traffic engineering firm.
The result of this economic stimulus package is shaping up to a massive infusion of public works projects that could create more jobs and better communities throughout the
southland.
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