Stimulus-Funded Road Projects' Effect On Unemployment: None

NPR interviews the AP reporter who conducted an analysis of stimulus spending in one particular area - road construction. His finding was that in addition to having no effect on total unemployment, it didn't improve construction employment either.

1 minute read

January 12, 2010, 1:00 PM PST

By Irvin Dawid


The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act was touted by President Obama as key to putting America back to work. A year later, the Associated Press found that though road and bridge spending employ some in that industry, it wasn't enough to be measured in total employment rates. These results may have an effect on the second stimulus bill known as the Jobs for Main Street Act which passed the House of Representatives last December.

"President Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan was intended to help the economy through tax cuts and job creation. One particular area of job creation was construction jobs to repair roads and bridges. But a new report from The Associated Press shows that spending in those areas has had no effect on local unemployment. AP investigative reporter Matt Apuzzo talks to Melissa Block about the report."

Interview is 4:15 minutes.

Thanks to MTC-ABAG Library

Monday, January 11, 2010 in NPR: All Things Considered

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Aerial view of Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline with freeway interchanges in foreground at night.

Milwaukee Residents Challenge Freeway Expansion

Residents are voicing opposition to a planned expansion of Interstate 94, arguing that the project would eliminate the limited green space in the neighborhood.

43 minutes ago - Spectrum News 1

Street Traffic in Manhattan

New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board

The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

White and yellow Metro Transit streetcar in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Video: Making Transit Better

How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.

2 hours ago - CNBC Marathon

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.