President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion federal stimulus package into law February 17. In a statement he said it would “set our economy on a firmer foundation.” The president did not rule out a second stimulus package.

A portion of the money will be used to make immediate investments in roads, bridges and other transportation projects in communities throughout America. FDOT has set up a Web page to provide information about Florida’s preparation for proposed federal economic stimulus funding for transportation. Since federal actions are taking place very quickly, please check http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/economicstimulus/ for updated information or to subscribe to e-mail updates.

According to Bob Burleson, President of the Florida Transportation Builders Association, investing in transportation infrastructure is one of the best ways to stimulate a slumping economy.

“It puts people to work, and the money cycles through the economy several times,” said Burleson. “It provides both an immediate benefit for the economy and communities receive long-term, tangible benefits which improve our way of life.”

The Federal Highway Administration reports that transportation infrastructure accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s economic activity. According to Doug Callaway, president of Floridians for Better Transportation, for every dollar invested in transportation construction, the local economy receives approximately $5.60 in economic benefits—a return on investment of more than 500 percent.

Highway construction also creates thousands of jobs. “For every $1 billion invested in highway construction 28,000 to 34,000 jobs are created,” said Callaway. From construction workers to health care administrators, engineers to education professionals, highway construction results in new employment opportunities across almost every industry.

“Building new roads and bridges will have a strong impact on Central Florida and throughout the state,” said Burleson. “It will put a lot of people to work in a state that has suffered greatly and it will improve our transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of the future.”