South Jersey to Gain 1,000 Jobs for High-Speed Rail Projects

The President acknowledges Congressman Andrews and other Congressional leaders for their commitment to America's infrastructure

This morning, Congressman Andrews joined President Obama and other Congressional leaders at a White House press conference where the president called for a major overhaul of our nation's high-speed rail system. The President announced that $8 billion in new federal dollars, allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will be invested into America's transportation system to modernize America's rail lines. Not only will this effort allow our country to limit its dependency on foreign oil and stop the expansion of America's carbon footprint, but these projects will help put our economy back on the course of long-term growth. The president highlighted that this new boost in federal funding will save or create 150,000 jobs nationwide by the end of next year. According to estimates provided by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, South Jersey is projected to retain or create over 1,000 jobs.

"Today, the president set our country on a course that will not only begin to wean America off its foreign oil dependency, but will put Americans back to work and get our economy growing again," said Congressman Andrews following the press conference. Rep. Andrews, who was recognized this morning by President Obama for his steadfast support of our nation's rail system and for his daily Amtrak commute to and from Washington, said, "The President's $8 billion plan to overhaul our country's high-speed rail system will pave the way to save or create over 1,000 local jobs and bring us to the 21st Century where we can join other world leaders in maximizing the benefits of cleaner, more efficient travel."

As our country faces its highest unemployment rate in 25 years, this funding provides South Jersey with the boost needed to preserve and generate an immediate demand for skilled construction workers and engineers, who will begin to create and implement this modern approach to travel.

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