Transportation projects helping the economy in rural and urban communities

In honor of Labor Day, Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a proclamation encouraging state residents to celebrate Washington transportation workers.

Workers are busy in almost every county of the state right now. More than 135 projects funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are awarded or under construction.

“Transportation projects benefit the entire state of Washington” said Gov. Gregoire. “Our workers are building and maintaining safer, more efficient ways of travel – jobs that help support local communities and get our economy back on track.”

WSDOT’s most recent report, submitted Aug. 20, showed that contractor payrolls doubled for the second month in a row, with labor hours increasing by 150 percent from June to July. The employment data shows workers on Recovery Act-funded projects logged more than 144,000 labor hours in July, compared to just less than 58,000 hours in June. This is evidence that these projects are continuing to contribute to Washington’s construction workforce and sustaining our state’s economy.

“Every transportation dollar invested keeps critical transportation and infrastructure systems in place so travelers and freight continue to move and strengthens the local economy where workers live,” said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond.

In addition to the Recovery Act investments, WSDOT is currently delivering the largest capital construction program in Washington’s history, including hundreds of safety and congestion relief projects funded by the 2003 and 2005 gas tax, worth $13.4 billion. As of June 30, WSDOT has completed 193 of 391 projects, and by September 30, 2009, 284 of the 391 projects (73 percent) will either be completed or under construction.

“Stimulus investments are providing good-paying jobs for an industry that has been losing them at a rapid rate,” said David D’Hondt, Executive Vice President of Associated General Contractors of Washington. “The repair and congestion relief projects are improving our overall quality of life. By providing congestion relief in areas such as the I-405/SR 520 interchange and repairing areas such as I-90 at the Snoqualmie summit, they are supporting commercial activity, improving safety and reducing carbon emissions from idling traffic.”


Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov/, so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.