Representatives and senators can expect to be hearing loud and often from the construction industry in a drive to get federal funding for highway, bridge and transit projects that have moved little as states are hammered by falling revenues and progranms get patchwork federal funding.

Associated General Contractors is not pussy-footing in its language about the need for the lobbying effort it announced.

“The construction industry remains a shell of its former self in too many states,” Stephen E. Sandherr, associate CEO, said. “Making long-overdue investments in our nation’s aging roads, bridges and transit systems will put people back to work and give a needed boost to the broader economy.”

Construction employment is below the peaks it achieved in all 50 states in past years, according to AGC's calculations. The bright spots, the association said, are where employment is less below peaks than in most states.

"Construction employment has almost returned to peak levels in North Dakota," AGC said, followed by Oklahoma, Louisiana and South Dakota.

In Florida, Arizona and Nevada, on the other hand, employment is less than half of what it once was.