“Shovel-ready” is the first buzzword of the incoming Obama administration. Looking to jump-start a failing economy, the president-elect and Congress are looking to fund public works projects where work can begin soon.
But Liz Boyd, spokesperson for Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, told Michigan Messenger Wednesday that the state does not have a list of “shovel-ready” projects.
“There isn’t one,” Boyd said when asked about a list of such projects. “We are compiling an inventory of projects that might be ’shovel-ready.’ When Congress and the Obama administration finalize an economic recovery package, we will be ready to act.”
The highway lobby isn’t waiting. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has a “shovel-ready” list and it isn’t short. AASHTO says there are 208 needed road projects in Michigan that would cost $1.75 billion. AASHTO’s Tony Dorsey told Michigan Messenger in a phone interview that his organization had received the projects and costs from Michigan Department of Transportation Officials.
We’ll be watching to see if Granholm and the highway lobby agree on where to shovel.
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