Foxx: Recent DOT projects directly energized U.S. economy

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently cited U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) achievements as evidence that transportation infrastructure has a direct effect on the U.S. economy.

More than $48 billion invested in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped Department of Transportation (DOT) projects become a higher priority, as these projects are an integral part of the administration’s plans for economic recovery.

The funds in the Recovery Act financed 15,000 projects, replacing over 2,700 bridges and 42,000 miles of roads. The money also bought or repaired over 12,220 transit vehicles. Finally, it generated countless jobs for working Americans.

Transportation infrastructure can make a difference in local communities. With this in mind, DOT established its Ladders of Opportunity initiative, which is designed to offer the support of partnerships, funding and technical assistance for state and local efforts to improve infrastructure.

In addition, DOT has created more initiatives to encourage change, including the Smart City Challenge.

These steps, in turn, are expected to improve the overall economy over time.