Oberstar, D-MN, told Minnesota Public Radio that he expects to have the bill on the floor by the third week of September.

The chairman cited reports indicating that some 2,100 jobs have been created or saved in Minnesota as a result of the recovery act. He told the Bemidji Pioneer that Minnesota ranks 32nd out of the 51 states and the District of Columbia in its use of federal recovery funds for transportation projects. It has 57 percent of the funds obligated and $120 million under construction. The work is expected to add 12,500 jobs when fully geared up. Minnesota has $502 million in federal recovery money to spend for highways and bridges.

"That's an extraordinary start," Oberstar said. "Consider that the president only signed the bill Feb. 17, and this is roughly 140 days from the time that allocations were made."

Oberstar said because contractor bids are coming in lower than expected, more projects can be launched, creating more jobs. He believes the original estimate of 12,500 new jobs in Minnesota could be exceeded by 30 percent.

"By Labor Day, I think we'll have a quarter of a million jobs nationwide, given the pace at which projects are let, construction work getting underway; it's happening all over the country," he said.