(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy and Jim Langevin issued the following statements regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation’s release of $26.6 billion in funding for state and local transportation projects as part of the federal funding slated for infrastructure job creation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  The money will assist states and local communities with construction and repairs of highways, roads and bridges.  The funds are being released a week earlier than anticipated. Rhode Island will receive its first installment of $10.793 million.  The state will receive a total of $137 million for transportation projects under the ARRA.

“One of the most important funding initiatives in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is the investment in our nation’s aging infrastructure. This winter has been particularly harsh to Rhode Island roads, and certainly there are numerous projects that need to be addressed to ensure safe and efficient highways, roads and bridges for our citizens. These funds will help create jobs immediately and will be a lasting investment in Rhode Island’s infrastructure,” said Kennedy.

“Immediate investment in our nation’s infrastructure is a critical component of the recovery plan that will begin to modernize our nation for the 21st Century, in addition to create much-needed jobs in Rhode Island to help bring our economy out of this recession.  I voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act because I wanted to create job opportunities for our workers at home, and I am pleased this funding has been released without any further delay,” said Langevin.

Projects identified as shovel-ready in this first round of funding:
$3.259M for Rt. 138 Pavement Program, Tiverton
Resurfacing of Main Rd./Route 138, including curbing, sidewalks, and drainage and guardrail improvements, from John Street to the Massachusetts State Line(2.3 miles)

$236K for Route 1 Median, South Kingstown
This project is the final phase of a Safety Improvement Project. Project includes excavating planting beds, placing loam and installing new planting material in select locations in the U.S. Route 1 median between Mooresfield Road and the Oliver Stedman Government Center. Contract includes two year mowing and maintenance agreement.

$568K for Warren Avenue Retrofit, East Providence
Construction of a 400-foot rocky seawall along the shoreline of the Seekonk River, salt marsh mitigation, installation of a stone dust river walk and landscaping on the adjacent Warren Avenue project in East Providence

$748K for Statewide Drainage C-1
Involved various drainage improvements in the following communities: Hopkinton (Mechanic St.), (Johnston Winsor Ave. at Hawkins Pond), North Smithfield (Greenville Rd.), and West Greenwich (Escoheag Hill Rd.).

$1.736M for Storm Drain Retrofit (Providence, Johnston)
Construction of storm-water treatment pond at interchange of Route 6 and Killingly St./Route 128.

$2.287M for Statewide Striping – East Bay
East Bay Application of striping on State roadways in Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Providence, Tiverton and Warren

$2.147M for Statewide Striping – North 
North Application of striping on State roadways in Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket.

State highway departments have already identified more than 100 other transportation projects across the country, totaling more than$750 million, where construction can start within the month. That number is expected to grow substantially as more states submit certifications and begin to receive project approvals.

Each proposed project must be approved by the department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Each state’s governor must certify that their proposed projects meet certain conditions and that the state will use ARRA funds in addition to, and not to replace, state funding of transportation projects. The U.S. Department of Transportation will monitor state compliance and track job creation. The projects will be web-posted for the public to see information at www.recovery.gov.

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