According to contractors and government highway officials, everyone in the transportation infrastructure community is benefitting from the money appropriated in the federal stimulus legislation. There have been so many bidders on projects let with stimulus funds recently that prices to government bodies are far less than expected, meaning taxpayers are getting more for their money, and contractors are creating more new jobs as a result. John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials says: "The two winners are the public, which gets more improvements, and a net gain in jobs creation. It's a win across the board."
Kenneth Simpson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said the favorable trend extends nationwide. Some examples:
BWI Airport improvements estimated at $50 million produced six bids, and will cost $8 million less than estimated.
Carroll County, Maryland, received 21 bids on a $200,000 drainage project.
A Connecticut project on the Merritt Parkway budgeted at $75 million was awarded for $66.6 million.
Many contractors who would not have bid on smaller public projects in the past are now proposing on those jobs to keep their workforce employed and avoid layoffs.
Kenneth Simpson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said the favorable trend extends nationwide. Some examples:
BWI Airport improvements estimated at $50 million produced six bids, and will cost $8 million less than estimated.
Carroll County, Maryland, received 21 bids on a $200,000 drainage project.
A Connecticut project on the Merritt Parkway budgeted at $75 million was awarded for $66.6 million.
Many contractors who would not have bid on smaller public projects in the past are now proposing on those jobs to keep their workforce employed and avoid layoffs.
