SYRACUSE -- A group of contractors gathered at Milton Caterpillar in Syracuse today to call for passage of a bill that would increase federal funding for highway construction projects.
Members of the Associated General Contractors of America say passage of the Federal Transportation Legislation would provide a much needed economic boost to Central New York.
Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, says Syracuse has lost more than 300 construction jobs in the last year alone and mor than 3,000 jobs since the construction industry peaked in the 1990's.
Congress has already delayed voting on the legislation seven times. Simonson says lawmakers need to approve the bill now before more construction jobs are lost.
"New York and other states have had to put up with two and a half years of short term extensions on federal funding for highway projects. That makes it impossible to do long term planning or actual construction of major projects," Simonson says.
Congress has until March 31st to vote on the current bill.
