Road projects will create 15,000 jobs, Salt Lake Chamber says

The governor's calls to reinstate road projects put on hold because of budget shortfalls will help create an estimated 15,000 jobs, according to the Salt Lake Chamber.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. announced his decision to reinstate 49 road projects across Utah during his State of the State address Tuesday, less than 70 days after the projects were put on hold. The projects will cost about $1.3 million, helping to "directly and indirectly" create thousands of jobs along the way, according to the chamber.

"The decision will have far-reaching benefits for our community," the chamber said in a prepared statement Wednesday. "Restarting the road projects immediately puts Utahns back to work, alleviating apprehension for thousands of Utah families."