WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today cited statistics that show the U.S. Department of Transportation has spent less than two percent of the funds set aside for roads and infrastructure improvements in the 2009 stimulus bill.

“Seven percent of the stimulus was for transportation projects – probably the best seven percent of that bill.  But of the $48 billion for transportation infrastructure like roads and bridges, not even $1 billion has been spent nationwide.  Clearly that money isn’t doing anyone any good just sitting on the sidelines,” Emerson said.

Emerson voted against the stimulus, but asserted that funding for transportation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects were a justifiable part of the package and should have constituted a larger percentage of the bill.

“It angers me to see the few good parts of the stimulus squandered.  We ought to get this funding for transportation infrastructure out the door quickly and responsibly,” Emerson said.  “Our roads, rails and rivers are extremely important to businesses in our rural economy.  These kinds of improvements make travel safer, raise fuel efficiency, reduce costs for businesses, and – best of all – create jobs.  We were asked to have shovel-ready projects prepared to get funding right away, and our state and our communities got their proposals together, but now the federal government is dragging its feet.”

In Missouri, where statewide unemployment stands at 9.3 percent, Emerson says spending on roads projects is one of the few sections of the stimulus that can be counted on for job creation.  The U.S. Department of Transportation has only spent 5.49 percent of the funds it obligated for projects in the state of Missouri.

“The direct effect – hiring people for construction projects – is good for our economy, and the indirect effect – creating opportunities for our businesses to expand and thrive – would be even better.  Because I am working so closely with our state and local officials, I know they are pulling at the reins and ready to go to work.  The federal government needs to help them be successful, and it’s very unfortunate that the bureaucracy has turned out to be such an impediment to the progress we need to be making,” Emerson said.