President Obama, Vice President Biden Visit DOT
To Mark Historic Transportation Investment
Today, history was made at the U.S. Department of Transportation when, for the first time ever, a sitting President and Vice President paid a joint visit to the Department. The occasion was even more significant because President Obama, along with Vice President Biden, announced funding for the first round of transportation projects from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $26.6 billion made available today, to be distributed by the Federal Highway Administration, will boost the nation’s economy while helping states and local transportation authorities repair and build highways, roads and bridges.
Some of the funds went to work today on the first project approved under the recovery legislation – the resurfacing of a one-mile stretch of State Route 650 in Montgomery County, MD. This project will not only mean a smoother, safer ride for motorists using the highway, but also will support 60 local jobs.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will enable our nation to rebuild, retool, and revitalize the vast network of roads, tunnels, bridges, bus and rail systems, airports, and waterways, that we have long depended on to keep the economy moving and growing.
Among the approximately 500 DOT employees greeting the President and Vice President were members of the team I created to accurately track the money as it is being spent, ensuring transparency and that all accountability requirements are being met. The team, known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) team, is composed of officials from across the Department and is co-chaired by Lana Hurdle, deputy assistant secretary for budget and programs, and Joel Szabat, deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy. I’m very proud of the team we’ve assembled to accurately track the money as it is spent, and ensure it is spent properly.
In the coming days and weeks, millions of men and women around the United States will go to work, rebuilding America—while earning an honest paycheck to support their families and their communities. Today’s events demonstrate that President Obama is keeping his promise to the American people to improve our infrastructure and put Americans back to work.
The States Transportation Leaders who are at the "U" shaped table on Feb. 13, 2009 - Can anyone tag those name place seatings?
The Tiger Team's work has no doubtedlly been instrumental in the success of this program. when will us taxpayers get to learn about these fine dedicated Federal Employees???
Posted by: Marlene Mahoney | August 28, 2009 at 07:11 PM