Delivering On Progress

* At the transfer of sovereignty in June 2004, there were just over 200 projects started.

* Today, more than 2,700 projects have started, valued at more than $6.2 billion.

* More than 1,588 projects are complete, valued at $1.4 billion.

* Construction will continue across the country as we put over $11 billion of reconstruction money to work.

Pace Of Reconstruction

This is a far different construction environment than any of us are used to working in.

In the majority of the provinces, there is very little violence and reconstruction is happening at a steady rate. In some areas of the country, site security has become a major factor in completing construction operations in a timely and expedient fashion.

An aged and ailing infrastructure that has suffered from a lack of maintenance for 35 years has additionally complicated the reconstruction process.

Iraq's engineering expertise has been underutilized in the infrastructure area. Yet, progress is occurring and being noticed by the Iraqi public.

Capital Improvements And Visible Progress

Oil infrastructure is being repaired and electric power plants are being rebuilt to boost the economy and improve the quality of life for the Iraqi people.

School and hospital renovations, sewer construction and water distribution projects demonstrate visible progress to the Iraqi people and put them back to work quickly.

Smaller projects are not as expensive but are just as important.