COVERITLIVE.COM

10:57

Paula M. Davis - Welcome to the Kalamazoo Gazette's live blog of Vice President Biden's appearance in Kalamazoo at Loy Norrix High School, as reported by Paula Davis.

10:58

Paula M. Davis - Biden has not yet arrived. But the of over 200 are on their feet waiting for his appearance.

The VP is here as part of the "Road to Recovery Tour" promoting the widening of two miles of Interstate 94 and the rebuilding the Westnedge Ave. interchange.

10:59

Paula M. Davis - I would say between 200 and 300 people are here — about 200 have seats directly in front of the podium.

11:01

Paula M. Davis - Just behind the podium, traffic streams endlessly by on the Interstate — the subject of today's event. Construction equipment is strategically placed on 94's shoulder so that it's in the backdrop, too. We're just 3/4 of a mile east of the Westnedge Ave exit (so says the sign).

11:05

Paula M. Davis - The audience is heavily stoked with area dignitaries, including lawmakers, local leaders and school officials and regular Joe and Jane taxpayers. There's also a gaggle of hard hat-adorned construction workers in bright yellow and orange jackets.

11:07

Paula M. Davis - This I-94 construction project is being funded by federal economic stimulus dollars - $44 million, which is 35 percent less than originally expected.

11:08

Paula M. Davis - The area of I-94 set to be widened is from east of Kilgore to east of Oakland Drive.

11:11

Paula M. Davis - Biden is supposed to be here at 11:15 a.m. and the the crowd has been eagerly anticipating him, most out of their chairs and on their feet for about an hour now.

11:14

Paula M. Davis - Biden's tour included stops in Pennsylvania and Kansas on Thursday.

11:14

Paula M. Davis - Vice president Biden has come into view of the crowd.

11:16

Paula M. Davis - Sen. Debbie Stabenow has taken to the lectern.

11:17

Paula M. Davis - Also on stage: Gov Jennifer Granholm, Transportation Secy Lahood, Carl Levin

11:18

Paula M. Davis - Stabenow: It's not just about constucon jobs. it's about the fact that we know how ot to build things in Michigan. We know how to make things in Michigan. We're going to continue to do that.

Crowd cheers.

11:19

Paula M. Davis - Stabenow: The middle clss started in Michigan ... Our economy will turn around by Michigan leading the way. I'm proud of that.

11:19

Paula M. Davis - U.S. Sen Carl Levin is now speaking.

11:21

Paula M. Davis - Levin: It is a big deal that we have this 94 widening. It is a big deal for 900 workers and their families it's a big deal. It's a big deal for Michigan to have these recovery funds come here... This represents finally a good share of road money for Michigan.

11:22

Paula M. Davis - Levin: Thanked the VP for working for this project. ... We believe the road to recovery should begin in Michigan.

11:22

Paula M. Davis - Granholm now at lectern: All right Kalamazoo and Portage!

11:23

Paula M. Davis - Granholm: We know this recovery act will create 27,000 jobs. That is a big deal for Michigan! (applause)

11:24

Paula M. Davis - Granholm: This is all about Michigan moving together ... Granholm mentioned high speed rail (applause). You know that VP Biden is a huge fan of rail transportation.

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