Boswell Announces Iowa Ranks 2nd in Nation for Implementing its Highway Stimulus Dollars

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Leonard Boswell announced that Iowa ranks second in the nation in the implementation of its “Highways and Bridges” funds that were allocated to the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Iowa received $358,162,431 for highway and bridge projects and has designated $356,242,701 as of July 31, 2009, according to a report released today by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This has led to the creation or maintenance of more than 2,000 jobs in the state so far on 139 projects that are already underway.

“The Committee’s report is a testament to the job-creating ability of infrastructure dollars when they are properly allocated,” said Boswell, a senior Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This is also a clear indication that the stimulus funding is creating jobs in Iowa and across the nation.”

 “The infrastructure dollars in the stimulus bill are just a down payment on the future infrastructure investment that will be in the upcoming highway bill,” the Congressman said. “The need to strengthen our nation’s infrastructure to create jobs, modernize our transportation network, improve efficiency, and enhance safety is there, and it is urgent.”

“As a senior Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will be very involved in drafting the next federal highway bill, and will continue to fight for infrastructure and highway projects that get Iowans and Americans back to work.”

For more information on this report, visit the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Web site at http://transportation.house.gov.