The construction industry in the state of Nevada is taking a beating, more specifically the one that affects highways in that state. The construction industry was once a reasonable opportunity for upwards of 106,000 jobs, but can barely eke out 36,000 jobs today. This change in job opportunities is affecting many out of work construction workers and their families and is being caused by a dwindling of funds that appears to be either stalled or cut completely out of the budget.

Many projects have had to be shelved due to a lack of funds and some of those projects affect the future of Interstate-15 and Interstate-11. The latter was a planned project that would provide easier access to the people of Phoenix as they made their way to Nevada. Most of the projects that need to be placed on hold would not only reduce the possibility of jobs it will also affect the future of the Nevada economy.

Congress is once again dragging their feet on important issues like the funding to keep these projects on track and from all appearances they have no immediate plans to correct it. If action is not taken on these transportation issues, the people of Nevada can expect some tough times ahead of them. A group known as “Hardhats for Highways” have already forwarded numerous forms of communication to Congress with the hopes that action can be taken.

Many construction leaders like Guy Martin are throwing their support behind operations that would remind Congress of the consequences to the job market, quality of life and economic growth. Martin is the vice president of Martin-Harris Construction and understands first-hand how these setbacks can affect the people of the state that he calls his home. Martin is joined by several other construction leaders who would like to see prompt action by Congress.

Interstate-15 and Interstate-11 are just two of about 25 projects that will be affected if these funding issues are not dealt with and as most leaders from the state of Nevada will tell you, when construction slows in hiring, others will follow. Roads and highways represent an opportunity to increase traffic to the area and that traffic usually translates into a brighter economic outlook for everyone involved.