training, there was a management labor with government and party to funding. for 25 years that has not been the case. construction industry is a largely white male industry for that reason not because of the old problems, but there has not been systematic training of minorities and women. ..

and. >> on-the-job training programs as well as 1.5 million going to the bureau of indian affairs for use on tribal lands. the second approach is to take the remaining funds approximately $12 million a month for proposals for new programs from wants that go beyond those that existed already agreed issued solicitation from that program we have the proposals i think we have $25 million of request we're in the process of evaluating those proposals as we speak and we would expect to make rewards in july with the remainder of the funding. >> i could not be happier with your response i have not been able to find out where

responsibility was located and what has been done and what of this is that? very important work that has been started what of this is responsible? >> within the office of civil rights within the highway administration. >> i could not be highway you have gone ahead and done this. if $20 million is a small amount, that 3 million would be predicted a bad shape doing a nationwide proposal that one of two things that you need, you need to partner with the dot or quickly get yourself a task force to zero and on how many jurisdictions could do this to get yourself a consultant we understand there were getting enough consultants. but your knowledge has any

contact been made by the tsa? >> not that i am familiar. >> i will make that inquiry because the answer you have given is precisely the response we have not had from them. they are not here because it is not a program involving highways anyway but it has almost $6,000,000,000.02 do precisely the kind of work that you were doing with highways building construction of various kinds let me ask you about a federal project that is a signature project, the building of department of romance security after we expect ground -- ground to be broken shortly certainly this year, we have been having meetings more about transportation then the project itself.

we were able to do with shepherds parkway we have 14,000 new federal employees going across the river for the first time in history to the old st. elizabeth west campus we have dealt with and i thank you very much because it was the, i believe, the highway administration folks who came in to see us. left unresolved was a very big problem. these employees are coming to a part of the district that are adjacent virtually two boeing aerospace. and we are concerned that 8,000 of them will be using that entrance.

we are confirmed they will be getting 8,000 new people on top of the people they have and i am sorry if i could just finish and get an answer i would appreciate it. and 8,000 will be using the malcolm x area to make their entrances to st. elizabeth with the interchange. can i ask you given the good work you all have done on shepherds parkway to facilitate the federal project whether or not, i shall let you know, the district of course, will not take care of this federal project with that in a highway funds that it has. rather than has been discussion within the federal highway administration of this matter can be resolved, the major transportation matter to make sure these 8,000 people

again to this new development? >> the staff and the federal land office have been actively involved in the st. elizabeth project i do not know the specifics where they are right now and the issue you refer to have to get back to to you withn days to for the record. >> please to back within 10 days we're trying to get ahead of a major problem if we do not begin to work on a number of thank you very much and particularly for what you have done with the apprenticeship programs. >> thank you ms. stores in you have spent a lot of time with us this morning and you are dismissed and we will call the second panel. >> . we're joined by the honorable butch brown the executive

director and chief administrative officer from mississippi department of transportation joseph mukasey general manager of the southeastern pennsylvania transportation authority representing the american public transportation association. brad penrod director and ceo of the allegheny county airport authority representing airports council international north america and john keating president and chief operating officer oldcastle materials group fees representing american road and transportation builders association. we will begin with mr. brown. >> thank you madam chairman as a special note we have included a few figures that were correctly added and not have been fixed and we ask we have been allowed to submit the revised testimony is just

a couple of technical changes. think you'll. >> my name is larry butch brown i am the director of the mississippi department of transportation serving vice president of the american association of state highway and transportation officials and m the incoming president this fall. i want to thank you for your efforts in securing transportation funding as part of the legislation. today want to emphasize three major points. allstate's of obligated 50 percent are more of the funds will before the june 30 deadline. projects are under construction and people are going back to work and states are directing funds were ready to go projects that will spread economic recovery and job creation to all corners of the united states with special consideration being given to the economic needs and geographic balance.

that economic recovery act provided $40 billion for transportation investment out of a total of 787 billion. of that 27.5 billion 30% going to the sub politicians in the cities and the county's. mississippi received 350 more million in stimulus dollars for transportation projects and i am extremely proud to report we met and exceeded the 50% goal bella head of the deadline states have delivered on the deadline current me 60% of the recovery act dollars have been obligated for a total of approximately 4900 projects valued at nearly 15.5 billion dollars. all of the states, the district of columbia and pr half projects under way. federal highway administration estimates there are 1500 projects under construction

valued at approximately $6 billion. many states move even faster them the law requires. mississippi for example, as -- has obligated nearly 80% of its funds for highways and bridges we have only approximately $50 million remaining to be contracted. in the transportation commission craft a plan to provide an equitable distribution throughout the state of mississippi to ensure the greatest possible impact in terms of jobs creation and economic development. mississippi plants letting approximately 365 contracts in the funding and as of late me some 524 new jobs have been creating that many or more have been retained and that many more new jobs are expected to come. and this is being repeated all across the country. states are working hard to

ensure that economically distressed areas benefit. in arkansas the program will deliver 84% of the jobs to distressed areas, 48 of the 51 projects are in distressed areas. in arizona's 60% of the projects and 40 of the highway economic recovery funds will be directly to economically distressed areas of their state. the highway economic recovery funds for transit, intercity passenger, freight rail, 9.9 million is being used for maintenance of the mississippi river southwest pass to provide safe and efficient river channel for navigation for the industry. the iowa department of transportation will provide 5 million for freight rail projects, $544 million in the port of tacoma washington will

eliminate crossings that eliminate vehicle traffic delays up to 45 minutes several times per day. finally congratulations to you and your committee on moving out with the six year bill pressly support your efforts and are ready to help you deliver. plan also urge timely action to our highway and transit program and the inevitable cash flow shortfall the highway trust fund this summer the imposition of 8.$7 billion, we urge you to take action on those critical issues and to take action in a timely short-term manner. thank you for allowing us from the american association of state highway tradition that officials i will be happy to answer questions when the time

allots. >> good afternoon representative edwards and members of the committee. my name is joseph casey representing we provide to is rotation in the southeastern pennsylvania area but there also representing the american transit authority representing private businesses. private -- publix 23 phase-in can reduce our dependency on oil improve the environment and achieving sustainability and improving the economy. with the increasing price of gasoline over the last couple of years, the market has rediscovered public transportation. at this recording last year 10 .3 billion trips taken on public transportation the highest in the last 50 years, spta has seen a similar

increase our writer ship has increased 12% and even though prices dropped last year the writer should remain strong and recede another three percent over last year. the american recovery and reinvestment act is critical to mass-transit prior to enactment and over 200 and providers their 800 projects totaling 16 billion that was shovel ready as you know, the american recovery and reinvestment act allocated 50% of the funds that are obligated currently waiting approval. spta share of the funds totals $191 million we have identified 25 projects and because you're out early with the bid they came in 17% less than the engineering estimate and we're able to add an

additional seven projects of the 32 projects through may 22 have been awarded accounting for 75% of the funds and some of the major projects are exercising the option for hybrid buses to grow to deal with a growing writer ship replacement of the track and on the trolley lines. we have helped the nation redo five bridges the old was built in 1905 and the rehabilitation of two major stations in two were that were constructed in the mid 1920's and one new station on the regional line which will be a brand-new station response -- replacing a small shelter on behalf of spta i want to convey my depreciation of the efforts of this committee to address the needs and to allow the use of 10 percent of the aara funds

for operating purposes. the economy has deeply impacted the operating budgets of the public transportation systems and all over the country people are increasing fares and reducing services the 10 percent allows it to remain and saves transit jobs. the stimulus package was a welcome relief but only a downpayment three recent report by fda identified the seven largest rail systems which carries 80% of the writers. the report concluded 50 billion is needed to bring the systems back to repair. four spta 4 billion is needed to bring repair. among the major capital projects we have 400 bridges, 200 of which are over 50 years old and half of them 100 bridges, over 100 years old. on the rail system we have 150

stations have of which require significant repair or replacement. power substations we have 19, the useful life is generally 30 years but we have 16 out of the 19 over 75 and the rail cars the current average is 30 years old family currently cannot replace 1/3 bid after there deliver the remaining two-thirds will be 35 years old. philadelphia is rich in history however we're not especially proud of the historical transit assets. we will be happy to speak and thank you for your leadership and recently announced authorization proposal. >> mr. penrod? >> thank you i am brad penrod the executive director of the

allegheny county airport authority i'm here representing the airport council international of north america. i like to acknowledge the increase passenger facility charge at $70. the committee decision two disturbia 1.$1 billion of stimulus spending using the process has been proven successful and explains why it was able to report on june 5th $5 million of the 1.5 billion authorize. vice president biden noted in march it will create new jobs now but is also an investment and long-term safety of economic viability at the allegheny county airport 2 million of stimulus money will be redo taxiway and three configured aircraft that we can build new maintenance facilities. construction is scheduled to begin the week of july 20 and we will be able to make space

of maintenance hangar facilities we're not only having 40 construction jobs fell but setting the stage for future jobs in the aircraft maintenance field. the stimulus budget at the pittsburgh airport will readability eight runway 14921 of those used by commercial and military flights. it will rehabilitate the airport pavement of trading signage and lighting systems in pavement. it is started to expect in september and will create 207 jobs. we make clear with the recovery act funding that projects were shot already i am pleased to report many airports across the country have airports and have their shovels and the ground. at the international airport they have completed all but the electrical work creating

442 at samberg sysco international they have completed the prepaid being construction of a 1.5 rehabilitation the airport's largest creating 90 jobs in the bay area perk but tampa international work on the taxiway rehabilitation and service roads will put an estimated 600 people to work. of the detroit metropolitan has started a project to support the construction and that will create an estimated 225 local jobs. once again last month at chicago o'hare 12 .3 million dollar project treated 50 direct jobs with the runway widening. also others are scheduled to come on line over the next four weeks. kansas city international will start work on $4 million runway rehabilitation projects creating 50 direct jobs.

at oakland airport 9. $7,000,000.03 projects will include ramps and overnight parking spaces for aircraft. san jose 5.$2 million project is part of a larger effort to exploit their regional safety issues have now been addressed to potentially unsafe movement that has moved the project forward one full-year creating 83 jobs. the yosemite international will create jobs next month when work begins on the 2. $2 million project to reconstruct taxiways. the recovery act also exempted present activity funds with the at minimum tax airports rely on bonds to finance the infrastructure and safety projects part of the bond market dried up and mrs. changing the aspect the international airport at miami-dade has sold that for

the new terminal project the washington airports authority sold bonds for a six year capital construction program. in terms of the infrastructure there is no doubt the amt provision is stimulating impact on short and long term projects. the 1.$2 million project days 1.$2 billion appropriate for our airports at the american recovery and reinvestment act and amt relieved creating much-needed jobs across the country while investing in infrastructure necessary to address the safe and efficient aviation system. i think you. >> mr. keating? >> representitive edwards my name is john keating and i am president and chief operating officer of oldcastle materials east program testifying on behalf of them and the american road and transportation builders association of like to express a breezy asian and the

american recovery and reinvestment act included a major transportation infrastructure component. my chief executive officer and vice president of economics told the committee last october that increased transportation never structure investment from the economic stimulus package would be put to work quickly and produce meaningful benefits. today is my pleasure to report how these are being felt. states and obligated 14.7 billion zero highway funds as of june 16 this has been five 1/2 billion more than required to me obligated by the june 30 deadline. the expected outlay is expected to increase as a move into the summer and fall construction season. furthermore the value of new contract awards for highway and bridge projects outpaced the 2008 levels and for the first time this year in the month of me that is exactly

what we hoped and wanted to see the state transportation agency began to award projects. let me share a few examples of how the recovery act of stimulating our economy. one of old castle companies in new england has been awarded $105 million for the three states and operates. much work is underway or will begin soon. in new hampshire after several early jobs had begun, pike decided to hold a job fair advertising 50 jobs but over 400 people showed up and they fill those positions and is expecting the stimulus job to save or create as much as 250 jobs. another great story within the example involved in a project taking place in the state of maine. last year we were fortunate enough to rebuild a large section of by to 95 this year

the main entity into the fiscal season with the understanding it would not have the funds to support the sister project of the northbound by 295-barrel. as a result of the recovery act it has been able to move forward with great coordination between the dot this project has been advertised bid, awarded and will be completed by mid august. mid is pretty significant job involves 23 miles of roadway to completely rebuild and repave. all of it will take place and 120 days. the other nice thing is that at its peak it will support 350 jobs and the state of maine. members in virtually every state are reporting similar experiences and we will see greater benefits and the remainder of the year in the 2010 when most of the stimulus funds hit the market. that said the recovery act

success we must acknowledge i reality the federal programs are only one part of the overall transportation market. virtually all states, counties, the municipalities space budget challenges and many were required to delay their own dissertation investment before the recovery act was signed into law and as such the recovery act investment is serving to protect existing jobs while keeping transportation programs afloat may not generate headlines i can tell you from personal experience a saved jobs means a great deal to people. the transportation system is investment are the first up in a critical two-part process the congress must enact a robust multi-year reauthorization of the transportation program the progress being made from the recovery act puts the authorization on hold 18

months prior written testimony describes out of 70 stemming from the reauthorization delays in 2003 and 2004 contributed to a stagnated u.s. transportation construction market broke while the recovery act provides a much stronger infusion a long term bill will project stability in the overall marketplace by establishing investment levels from the approach. in companies like oldcastle have this type of long-term indicator of future investment and enables us to make a capital investment decisions that have an even greater economic multiplier effect from many sectors of our economy and to that end we recommend chairman oberstar for moving forward with the multi-year surface transportation bill. figure for allowing me to present today and i look

forward to any questions. and thank you. >> thank you mr. keating and thank-you to each of you for your testimony and also for your patience this morning. just a couple of questions, mr. brown, could do you think you said in your testimony that mississippi had allocated 80% of the apportion funds for highways and bridges and plans letting 165 contract funds and how soon after funds are obligated to expect the contracts are let and how soon after that can we expect to work to get under way and people get on a job? >> madam chairman maybe i did not make myself clear i apologize. those numbers, the percentages are going to contract. those are actual contract in jobs. all of the contracts will be finished and on the street and

ready literally shut already and snow shovel activity beginning within 30 days of the day we left the contract that is when we would give the notice to proceed bozo certainly buy the end of august we will be fully contract if that work on all stimulus funds. >> is part of the reason for that like in my state of maryland you have had a number of these projects sitting there engineering, environmental work done just waiting for the resources to me able to put people to work. so it was not complicated for you to me able to let the contracts and get the work started right away? >> you are right on target. we first identified probably i will try to resurrect the number $800 million worth of work and anticipating a much