As the federal stimulus package makes its way through the Senate this week, United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood told Midwest reporters in a conference call Thursday the national government is already identifying areas where the money can be spent immediately to help improve the country’s economic health.

According to LaHood, many are transportation projects that will put citizens to work over the upcoming spring, summer and fall months.

“A key component of the plan is enacting the largest investment in America’s roads, bridges and transit lines since the introduction of the interstate system,” LaHood said. “The goal is to help jumpstart the economy by getting money out the door for projects that are ready to go.”

Gov. Jim Doyle identified a number of Wisconsin transportation projects that are ready for immediate funding once the package passes, according to his spokesperson Carla Vigue.

The Office of Reinvestment and Recovery will distribute any funds received by the state throughout Wisconsin, but one of the improvements at the top of the list is Interstate 94 between Chicago and Milwaukee.

Other airport and freight rail projects are also on a list of improvements, according to a statement from Doyle.

“There are a lot of transportation projects on the radar. This is definitely one area where people can get to work right away,” Vigue said. “The Office of Reinvestment and Recovery is working directly with the Governor to identify projects.”

Vigue added it was still unclear exactly how many people would be put to work as a result of transportation improvement.

According to Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Conover, chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, the highest priority projects are likely to first be affected by the stimulus package, although the state will have to look at any strings attached to the funds.

Joint Committee on Finance member Rep. Phil Montgomery, R-Green Bay, agrees transportation projects need attention to improve the state’s economy overall.

“Transportation is the lifeblood of the state,” Montgomery said. “Tourism and commerce are two big money makers for the state and [for those] you have to have a good transportation infrastructure.”

Despite his support of improved state transportation, Montgomery added he was more concerned about the lack of money in the state transportation fund as the result of various vetoes by Doyle.

“He took over $700 million out of the transportation fund,” Montgomery said, adding the use of federal government funds was like paying off the debt of a university student who had not spent their money wisely.

To help make sure any funds directed toward transportation projects are spent efficiently, LaHood said his office created a special economic recovery team to make sure funds are used “wisely, rapidly and legally.”

He added he also invited the transportation secretaries from all 50 states to Washington D.C. next Wednesday to discuss the handling of state projects effected by the stimulus package.