AGC Meets with Transportation Secretary to Discuss Stimulus Progress

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood invited a group of AGC contractors this week to meet with him to get a progress report on the impact of stimulus funding for transportation projects. The contractors have been awarded contracts for recovery act funded projects and reported that, as a result, they have been able to retain or hire workers. The contractors pointed out that prior to receiving stimulus funds their state DOTs were cutting back significantly on the number of projects going out to bid. AGC thanked Secretary LaHood for his leadership in getting transportation funds in the stimulus package but also pointed that major investments by contractors in new equipment and work force training is contingent on having a reliable long term market and urged the Administration to support increased revenue in a multi-year transportation reauthorization bill. The AGC members were in Washington as part of the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In delivering the same message with their Senators and Representatives. In a nationally televised event at the National Press Club Secretary LaHood reported on his meeting with the AGC contractors. As an example of stimulus success LaHood included in the event AGC member Jim Andoga (Austin Bridge& Road) and one of his foreman Willie Fort whose job was retained due to the recovery act funds.