Delaware Governor attends White House summit on infrastructure

Delaware Governor Jack Markell took part in a White House summit on infrastructure with President Obama Monday.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell took part in a White House summit on infrastructure with President Obama Monday.

“Jobs are not created when people are stuck in traffic,” Markell said.  “Economic growth does not happen when workers can’t easily get products to their customers.”

Markell says Delaware’s construction sector was among those hardest hit by the economic recession.  He believes implementing parts of the President’s initiative on infrastructure improvements would provide short-term gains in construction jobs, as well as a long-term overall benefit to the state’s economy.

President Obama on Labor Day outlined a six-year plan to invest in the nation’s infrastructure, rebuilding 150,000 miles of road, laying and maintaining 4,000 miles of rail, and restoring 150 miles of airport runways.

Markell says in Delaware, funding would pay for additional road improvements, advancing high-speed rail projects, and possibly developing a commuter rail connection to Aberdeen Maryland, which will experience significant growth in miltary jobs due to the relocation of personnel from Fort Monmouth New Jersey.  He also says the federal economic stimulus program funded several important projects in Delaware, such as E-Z Pass toll improvements and access to Wilmington’s growing riverfront area.

Also taking part in the meeting were Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, and several mayors including Michael Nutter of Philadelphia.