Washington State's Gail Land: "Knowing I could get my crew back to work was a great feeling"

I want to welcome Gail Land, division manager of Lakeside Industries in Monroe, Washington, to our Voices of the Recovery Act series.

Last summer, through Recovery Act funding, the Washington Department of Transportation was able to hire Gail's company to repave and enhance safety on a deteriorated 5-mile stretch of U.S. 2 between the towns of Monroe and Sultan.

Gail (on right) with a truck driver hired on the U.S. 2 project. The driver commutes 2.5 hours each way for this job.

Now this section of road had broken down so badly from years of use and harsh weather that WSDOT had it on a list of segments that need accelerated repair work. The proposed resurfacing would put an end to costly temporary repairs and restore the structural integrity of the highway well into the future. But, because of the recession, it had to be cut from the state budget.

Recovery Act funding for this project came through in the nick of time--for the crew rehired, the new workers added, and the region's drivers made safer by a smoother roadway, centerline and shoulder rumble-strips, and new pavement markings.

As Gail says in the video, "This job enabled me to pull all my regulars back to work...They were thrilled to send people to work in Monroe." So when we talk about jobs saved or created, that's exactly what we mean.

And these are good jobs on good projects. The folks at WSDOT have done a great job letting the people of Washington know the real value of their projects in charts like the one at left.

The stimulus is working for America.

Comments

[Michael E. Bailey]

The ARRA has been the thing that saved the country from a depression. Those who don't like the ARRA don't say what they would have done or would do to save the economy. They have no ideas and no plan. All they can do is attack the ARRA. I think some people are concerned only in winning the next election and think the secret to winning is to be as far right as possible all of the time, including attacks on the ARRA. Best wishes,Michael E. Bailey.

[ДСП]

Congratulations!