All 55 U.S. States and Territories Obligate Half of ARRA Highways Funding Ten Days Ahead of ScheduleWASHINGTON, DC - June 25, 2009 --
Vice President Joe Biden and
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
today announced that transportation projects funded under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are putting people to work and
building a foundation for the country's long-term economic strength.
To
date, $19 billion has been obligated to fund over 5,300 approved for
highway and other transportation projects nationwide. Of those, 1,900
projects are already underway.
As part of the Administration's
effort to infuse Recovery Act funds swiftly into the economy, states
are required under the Recovery Act to obligate 50 percent of their
highway funds by June 29, 2009. Working in coordination with the U.S.
Department of Transportation, all 55 U.S. states and territories
successfully beat this deadline at least 10 days ahead of schedule.
"Our
number one priority with the Recovery Act is getting folks back to work
- and there is no better way to do that in these early days than by
putting shovels in the ground and jump-starting projects like these
that create jobs and boost local communities," said
Vice President Biden.
"By delivering on these projects ahead of schedule and under-budget, we
have been able to do even more than we expected -- create more job
opportunities more quickly, with more dollars left over to put toward
more projects that put people back on the job."
Across the
country, transportation projects funded by the Recovery Act are coming
in under budget and ahead of schedule. States are routinely receiving
low bids for highway and airport construction projects that are 10 to
20 percent, and in some cases, 30 percent lower than expected. These
lower than expected bids are allowing states to stretch taxpayer
dollars, complete additional projects and create even more American
jobs.
"Every state not only met the 120-day deadline, they beat
it,"
said Secretary LaHood. "This is a testament to the fact that we're
putting money out there quickly and helping to get the economy back on
track."
ARRA funding for highway projects may be used for
restoration, repair, construction, and other activities under the
Surface Transportation Program. Each proposed project must be approved
by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Governors must certify
that proposed projects meet certain conditions and that the state will
use ARRA funds in addition to, not in replacement of, state funding of
transportation projects.
Priority is given to projects that
are projected to be completed within three years, are located in
economically distressed areas, or will maximize job creation and
economic benefits.
Highway Obligation Deadline Information
State: Date 50% Met Funds Put to work
Alabama June 5, 2009 $205,178,421.34
Alaska June 12, 2009 $68,800,219
Arizona April 21, 2009 $260,320,032.35
Arkansas April 17, 2009 $136,928,664
California May 1, 2009 $1,182,215,372
Colorado May 7, 2009 $210,616,018
Connecticut April 22, 2009 $175,151,318
Delaware June 17, 2009 $44,038,350.71
District of Columbia April 22, 2009 $82,565,030.43
Florida May 6, 2009 $877,594,135
Georgia June 17, 2009 $377,480,128.33
Hawaii June 19, 2009 $46,222,408.61
Idaho April 24, 2009 $88,032,562
Illinois March 10, 2009 $598,015,458
Indiana April 27, 2009 $282,946,089.96
Iowa March 11, 2009 $223,871,877
Kansas April 22, 2009 $209,905,329.6
Kentucky May 21, 2009 $165,284,312
Louisiana May 18, 2009 $198,588,287.98
Maine March 6, 2009 $91,526,422
Maryland March 20, 2009 $192,409,233
Massachusetts June 12, 2009 $173,530,958
Michigan June 2, 2009 $318,097,511.02
Minnesota April 20, 2009 $199,833,222.34
Mississippi April 23, 2009 $214,782,700
Missouri May 20, 2009 $320,569,742.4
Montana June 12, 2009 $81,262,208
Nebraska April 17, 2009 $109,207,334
Nevada June 18, 2009 $71,288,539
New Hampshire March 18, 2009 $88,022,625.99
New Jersey March 31, 2009 $365,794,829
New Mexico May 11, 2009 $143,393,729.04
New York May 26, 2009 $491,431,091
North Carolina May 8, 2009 $314,285,061
North Dakota April 15, 2009 $74,971,253.31
Ohio June 18, 2009 $338,895,927.5
Oklahoma March 16, 2009 $307,198,208
Oregon April 21, 2009 $155,807,073.87
Pennsylvania May 20, 2009 $447,678,440
Rhode Island April 7, 2009 $91,142,181.43
South Carolina April 2, 2009 $168,895,623.07
South Dakota April 1, 2009 $77,283,524.03
Tennessee April 7, 2009 $366,081,694
Texas June 12, 2009 $960,719,966.53
Utah March 12, 2009 $145,571,644.97
Vermont May 6, 2009 $53,069,059.08
Virginia June 17, 2009 $285,186,164
Washington April 27, 2009 $250,653,384
West Virginia June 4, 2009 $115,969,114.19
Wisconsin April 20, 2009 $270,422,647.78
Wyoming April 24, 2009 $98,729,721