Date:
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Contact:
Contact: Lloyd Brown, WSDOT Communications 360-705-7076
WSDOT adds seven new Recovery Act highway projects to its stimulus program
OLYMPIA – Lower construction bids have generated enough savings to allow the Washington State Department of Transportation to build seven more highway projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act than first expected.
Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration provided $492 million in Recovery Act funding for state and local highway projects in Washington State, $340 million for state projects and $152 million for local city and county projects. Gov. Gregoire and the Legislature identified 34 state highway projects, and a second tier list of 11 projects.
By mid July, favorable contractor bids, on average 29 percent below engineer’s estimates, enabled WSDOT to apply federal stimulus funds to the second tier list of projects worth more than $80 million. Amazingly, by the end of October, enough Recovery Act funding remains for that WSDOT can build an additional seven new projects worth $12.3 million. Local cities and counties have also experienced lower contractor bids, resulting in 17 additional Recovery Act-funded projects worth $26 million.
"Today’s competitive bidding climate means we have been able to stretch our Recovery Act funds to build more projects in more areas of the state, and that translates into more jobs," said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. "In addition, the Recovery Act has allowed us to address critical preservation projects and also advance planned capacity and safety infrastructure projects."
The seven new state projects were chosen using similar criteria to the initial set of projects. The projects had to meet the requirement of being ready to go to contractors in 120 days or less. The projects were prioritized higher if they were located in economically distressed counties.
The seven state projects moving forward include:
- US 195/Idaho State Line to Colton - Paving ($2,600,000)
- SR 503/1mi East of Rock Creek Bridge to Fredrickson Rd - Paving ($3,440,000)
- SR 14/I-5 to SE 164th Ave. Interchange - Paving ($2,160,000)
- US 97/ Orondo Northward - Paving – Chip Seal ($1,120,000)
- US 97/ Okanogan to Riverside – Chip Seal ($1,440,000)
- US 97/ Pateros South – Chip Seal ($560,000)
- SR 26/ Royal City East – Chip Seal ($960,000)
As of Dec. 16, WSDOT and local governments have completed 84 projects throughout the state. In October, Washington’s workers earned $10.9 million in payroll for 284,192 hours of work. Since the Recovery Act was passed in February, workers have logged more than 1 million hours on Washington stimulus projects, earning nearly $40 million in wages. Approximately $336 million, or 70 percent, of our Recovery Act highway funding will be spent in 28 counties federally defined as economically distressed.
WSDOT and local governments together have obligated $409.6 million (83%) of the state’s $492 million in Recovery Act funds. Washington has obligated funds to 184 (94%) of the current 196 projects certified by the governor. Agencies have until March 1, 2010 to obligate the rest.
Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, http://recovery.wa.gov/ , so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.
# # #
WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.
< Go Back