The Federal Highway Administration announced Thursday, Sept. 30, that it has met the Sept. 30 deadline for providing nearly $27.5 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars for highway and bridge projects throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the territories.
“The Recovery Act was intended to create jobs and strengthen our infrastructure, and it is making a difference in communities across the country,” says U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “There is still work left to do, but these funds have helped put people to work and stimulated the economy by investing in America’s roads and bridges.”
Once the money has been provided, contracts can be put out for bid, workers can be hired, equipment and supplies can be purchased, and work can begin on highway construction and repair projects that drive economic growth by creating jobs. Because the highway funding program is reimbursement-based, states will continue to submit invoices to FHWA as bills are submitted by contractors.
“The thousands of projects funded – and the tens of thousands of jobs created – are testament to the success of the Recovery Act,” says Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. “The billions made available for road improvements over the last 18 months have been critical to keeping people safe and making our transportation system more efficient and effective.”
Since the Recovery Act became law in February 2009, more than 40,000 miles of pavement across the United States have been improved. Of the more than 13,000 Recovery Act-funded road projects across the country, more than 7,300 are under way, and more than 4,200 are completed.
