Traffic congestion and the delays it causes are costing the nation's construction firms an estimated $23 billion each year, according to a new analysis released Thursday by AGC. During a media event in Minneapolis, AGC warned there is no relief in sight as Congress is months late in passing six-year federal transportation legislation, prompting more pain for the hard-hit construction industry.
Caterpillar Global Paving's Jim McReynolds leads Steve Sandherr, and AGC of Minnesota's Dave Semerad on a media tour of his factory." width="300" height="153" />
The new analysis was based on responses from nearly 1,200 AGC member construction firms. A staggering 93 percent of firms reported that traffic and congestion were affecting their operations. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of firms lose at least one day of productivity per worker per year due to traffic congestion, equaling 3.7 million days of lost productivity industry-wide each year.
Read the full press release, as well as survey data, here. The news was covered by the Minneapolis Post and the local Channel 12 News (start at 5:27), as well as the Portland Tribune, New Orleans City Business and NJ Biz.
[FLOWPLAYER=http://www3.agc.org/videos/JUNE_10th_AGC_CATERPILLAR_COST_OF_CONGESTION_EVENT.flv,640,385]
Caterpillar Global Paving's Jim McReynolds leads Steve Sandherr, and AGC of Minnesota's Dave Semerad on a media tour of his factory." width="300" height="153" />Caterpillar Global Paving's Jim McReynolds leads Steve Sandherr and AGC of Minnesota's Dave Semerad on a media tour of his factory.
Listen to the media conference call here.
For more information, contact Nahee Rosso at (703) 837-5348 or rosson@agc.org.