Utah tallies $12B in road projects

It's unclear whether there will be any earmarks on the stimulus package. UDOT officials said the federal government will support projects based on the number of people employed and the size of the salaries.

Njord described the process as a "double-edged sword." On the positive side, Utah has the most comprehensive list of all 50 states and is prepared to begin work on them, he said. "The down side of it: We're only going to get a couple hundred million," he said. "There's going to be a lot of folks that are disappointed — many more who are disappointed than are satisfied."

Njord told the members of the Transportation Commission, which decides which projects UDOT builds, to familiarize themselves with the list, so they can be prepared to decide on projects once the money is awarded. "It'll be burdensome for us, but I think we'll be prepared to move forward," he said.

Commissioners were enthusiastic.

"Bring it on," Commissioner Kent Millington said.

"We'd rather have the money than not," Commissioner Meghan Holbrook said.

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