Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to move as quickly as possible in handing out federal money for transportation projects.
In a recent hearing held by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, he spoke with Chao about the need for infrastructure movements and projects across the U.S. including those in Oklahoma.
“Our Oklahoma Department of Transportation has shared with me that for each year of delay for a project, three percent of cost actually goes up,” said the Senator. “So timing is important and when funding is scarce and hard fought to earn, this can really limit what our states and local entities can accomplish.”
Inhofe praised President Trump’s recent comments and announcements about moving forward with infrastructure improvement projects across the nation.
“I was encouraged by the President’s proposal,” said the Senator. “I think we can all come together.”
He noted how a recent Harvard-Harris poll showed that 84 percent of Americans responded that the nation needs to invest more in its infrastructure.
“This is so significant, what we are doing here and I’m very excited about it, very positive about it.”