By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-981563.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida road builders say a state plan to speed up work on road projects will create thousands of jobs. James Call reports, the Department of Transportation will accelerate construction of some $1. 2 billion worth of new roads and bridges.
In a sluggish economy contractors can't find work and in an attempt to win state contracts for road projects they have been submitting low bids, up to 25-percent less than expected. This frees up money for more road building which Bob Burleson of the Transportation Builders Association says means much needed jobs. Burleson says some of his members have laid off up to 40-percent of their workers.
"So my number is more accurately like in excess of 30 or 40 thousand people in our industry are out of work."
Burleson says the additional $1. 2 billion dollars in state spending will create about 35,000 jobs. He expects the hiring to begin around the New Year.