Gov. Bev Perdue was joined by Transportation Secretary Gene Conti and other elected officials in Camden County at a ceremonial groundbreaking today for one of North Carolina’s first highway improvement projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The event was held at the George M. Wood Memorial Park on U.S. 158 in Camden County near the Camden/Pasquotank County line.
The $6.1 million project will widen a congested 2.4-mile stretch of U.S. 158 from east of the Pasquotank River to north of Havenwood Drive in Elizabeth City from two to four lanes. The highway is known locally as the Camden Causeway and serves as the main link between Elizabeth City and Camden and Currituck counties.
“This recovery project will make a significant contribution to Camden County and this region now and in the future,” Perdue said. “It will quickly put people to work and have a significant economic impact. Improving U.S. 158 helps northeastern North Carolina prepare for future growth and ensures this region is ready when new opportunities arise.”
Last week, Secretary Conti awarded the project contract to low-bidder RPC Contracting Inc. of nearby Kitty Hawk. Subcontractor Sanford Contractors Inc., based out of the Lee County city by the same name, will conduct the project’s bridgework and anticipates purchasing sand, stone and concrete locally, as well as utilizing area hardware stores, fuel suppliers and food establishments. The project will be completed by Aug. 1, 2011.
“Projects of this magnitude offer an immediate economic benefit to local businesses and contractors, which is good news in these economic times,” Secretary Conti said. “We anticipate all areas of North Carolina will see similar benefits as projects begin in those communities.”
The U.S. 158 widening project is one of 11 economic recovery projects awarded to contract in March. The projects are located in Alamance, Brunswick, Camden, Currituck, Forsyth/Stokes, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Scotland and Stanly counties. It is also one of the $466 million first phase recovery infrastructure projects that are expected to create and sustain 14,000 jobs across the state.
The bids on these projects came in more than 19 percent, or nearly $15.8 million, below NCDOT estimates. Work on all contracts can start as soon as April 27, with the exception of the Currituck County bridge replacement project, which will begin no sooner than July 1 due to an environmental moratorium.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and according to the construction industry, every dollar invested in transportation trickles down into the economy six times.
For more information about recovery funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
