Get that money to work

The number one thing that we are hearing throughout the government is that things have to happen now. The number one goal of this program is to put people to work. Utah is going to receive about 200 million dollars for roads in order to put 6000 contractors to work. Doug knows that many of you are cringing about these actions but things need to happen.

Geithner’s address was a sign that this problem is “beyond mere mortals” and that even the Secretary of State doesn’t fully understand. There is something that needs to be done is the bottom line.

Where do you want to have the 200 million dollars spent?

U-dot John Njord gave an update about how the money from the stimulus package will be spent. They anticipate advertising projects within the next two weeks. Intentions are to spend the entire amount received by the end of the calendar year. They want to get as many contractors to work as soon as possible. We as the public will see a list of the projects that will be voted on. The projects that will be focused on are those that already in progress and most likely have orange cones on them already. Norton didn’t feel that he had anything “sexy” to say. The number one priority is to get people to work. We are also the only state that has said that they were going to spend the money this year.

Caller Sean had the concern with this big injection of money into projects, what effect is it going to have on our commute? Is this going to have a negative effect on our local communities? Doug felt that in spreading these funds out they will not disrupt the normal flow of traffic. There more than likely will not be any traffic killing projects.

Caller Hyrum hopes that they would use those funds to correct community conditions rather than the larger highways. He would like to see them gang up on these small projects quickly and then move on. Doug agreed that there have been some projects that seemed like they never were going to end.

Caller Brian is a professional truck driver in Utah County and is happy that is getting money for things that are needed.

Caller Reed thought that the commuter rail extended out to Provo would be something that would be very beneficial. Doug thought that the funds had been secured for that project and Doug is completely on track there with Reed.