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On Monday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell toured BNSF Railway Co.’s diesel shop in Commerce, Calif., to observe retrofitted locomotives and discuss how their states and the Building America’s Future (BAF) coalition promote additional federal infrastructure investments to improve the nation’s air quality and economy.

The state of California estimates that for every $1 billion spent on infrastructure, 18,000 jobs are created.

“Investment in our roads, bridges, highways and railways will lead to job creation and further our competitiveness in the global economy,” said Schwarzenegger in a prepared statement.

Congress and the Obama Administration should make additional infrastructure investments a priority to further improve the nation’s economic competitiveness and quality of life, said Rendell.

“I urge Congress to pass a robust and reformed transportation reauthorization bill to repair and modernize our rail, highways, transit and freight systems,” he said.
 
In 2008, Schwarzenegger, Rendell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg formed BAF to rally support for a renewed federal commitment to fund infrastructure projects with state partners. The coalition seeks infrastructure upgrades for railroads, mass transit systems, roads, bridges, ports, airports, water and sewer systems, levees and dams, and energy systems.