Credit: Jim Schacter / WNYC
Some 800 workers have already been laid off as a result of the shutdown, according to Robert Briant of the Utilities and Transportation Contractor’s Association of New Jersey. That number could more than double to 1,700 by week’s end, says
Alison Premo Black, chief economist with American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
The layoffs are particularly painful because they come at the height of construction season. Black is the author of a report that indicates it would cost $39 million just to stop — then later restart — the hundreds of affected projects.
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