In testimony before Congress, Susan Martinovich says investments in transportation “put people to work immediately”

January 27, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today commended Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) Director Susan Martinovich for her focus on job creation and strengthening Nevada’s economy in her testimony before Congress. Martinovich, who is also the president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, urged Congress to continue supporting the critical transportation projects that Nevada’s economy depends upon.

“Director Martinovich and I are in complete agreement that modernizing Nevada’s transportation network is an important way to putting Nevadans back to work,” said Reid following her testimony.  “Not only will this enhance public safety, but help boost Nevada’s tourism and create good paying jobs that can’t be shipped overseas.  I am eager to continue working with Director Martinovich to help ensure that all Nevadans who want a job can find one.”

Excerpts from Director Martinovich’s testimony:

“Investment in transportation should be easy.  As has been said, there are no Republican or Democratic runways, roads, or bridges. We all know that investing in transportation infrastructure puts people to work immediately.  Most importantly, the American people can see what the money is going towards.”

For veterans:

“My son is a sergeant in the Marine Corps recovering from serious wounds.  He and many of his fellow marines spent time in Afghanistan building infrastructure.  Transportation is an industry that can provide these warriors jobs…jobs they are skilled to undertake, yet not assured to be there.”

For rural Nevada:

“Let me tell you about the importance of highway dollars to the people I work for in Nevada.  We recently had an overlay of maintenance projects on Interstate 80 through Lovelock, Nevada.  Lovelock is 90 miles from Reno.  Like many rural parts of the West, that is a long 90 miles.  An owner of one of the hotels in town told me that during construction the hotels in town were busy.  Its restaurant was busy.  Stores made lots of sales and it kept businesses in town from laying off people.  He asked me when we would start on another project?”

For contractors and construction workers:

“Contractors in our state tell me they need a backlog of 3 years of work to keep their crews together.  Currently many see only 6 months of work on the horizon.  With that uncertainty, they can’t plan or buy equipment or supplies.  They can’t assure jobs for existing staff, let alone include training and internships for apprentice and minority worker programs.”

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