WASHINGTON

As he makes plans to resuscitate the reeling economy, President- elect Barack Obama committed Saturday to the largest public works construction program since the creation of the interstate highway system a half-century ago.

Obama has began highlighting elements of the economic recovery program he is fashioning with congressional leaders in hopes of enacting it shortly after he's sworn in on Jan. 20.

His remarks sought to expand the definition of work programs for the middle class, such as repairs to roads and bridges, while also pushing for new-era jobs in technology and green jobs.

He put no price tag on it but said he would invest record amounts of money in the infrastructure program, which also includes work on schools, sewer systems, mass transit, dams, electric grids and other public utilities.

He vowed to upgrade computers in schools, expand broadband Internet access, make government buildings more energy efficient and improve information technology at hospitals and doctors' offices.

"We need action - and action now," Obama said in an address taped for broadcast on Saturday morning on radio and YouTube.

The address followed the latest economic report, which indicated the country lost 533,000 jobs in November alone, bringing the total job losses in the past year to nearly 2 million.

Obama and his team are working with congressional leaders to devise a spending package that some lawmakers have suggested could total $400 billion to $700 billion. Some analysts forecast even higher costs.

A big part of that will be public works spending, particularly on projects aimed at conserving or expanding energy supplies and cleaning up the environment.

"We will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s," Obama said.

He did not estimate how much he would devote to that purpose, but when he met with the nation's governors last week, they said the states had $136 billion worth of road, bridge and other projects ready to proceed as soon as money became available.

They estimated that each $1 billion dollars spent would create 40,000 jobs.

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said the state has more than $1 billion dollars in "ready-to-go" projects that have been planned for and can be under contract within 180 days.

"His plan will put people to work and give the economy a critically important boost," Kaine said in a written statement.

"He hasn't given us any commitment, but we are fairly certain it's going to be large," Gov. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania, a Democrat and chairman of the National Governors Association, said in an interview on Saturday.

"I think he understands if you're trying to reverse the economy and turn it around, this is not the time to do it on the cheap. This is not the time to do it in small doses. "

In the address, Obama said he wants to install energy-saving light bulbs and replace old heating systems in federal buildings to cut costs and create jobs.

School buildings would get an upgrade, too. "Because to help our children compete in a 21st century economy, we need to send them to 21st century schools," Obama said.

As part of the package, Obama said he wants to expand broadband Internet access in communities.

"Here, in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online," he said.

Hospitals would be connected to each other through the Internet. He said he wanted to ensure the facilities were using the latest technology and electronic medical records.

Obama said he plans to announce more details of the economic recovery plan in the coming weeks.

The New York Times and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Obama's plan

Infrastructure The federal government would work with states to repair and update roads, bridges, mass transit systems, dams and electric grids.

Schools Obama vowed to update computers in schools and expand broadband access to the Internet.

Energy He wants to make government buildings more energy efficient using energy-saving light bulbs and replacing old heating systems.

Price tag The president-elect did not outline an estimated cost for all the projects. However, they are expected to cost $400 billion to $700 billion.

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