CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council today approved $20.5 million of transportation projects funded by the stimulus package, helping create and retain several hundred jobs in New Hampshire.

“We are committed here in New Hampshire to using these important federal stimulus funds for their intended purpose - putting our people back to work. These contracts represent numerous good paying jobs that will help New Hampshire families and New Hampshire businesses,” Gov. Lynch said. “I am pleased our Department of Transportation continues to work to identify projects that are ready to begin immediately so that we can maximize the impact of these stimulus funds.”

The Governor and Council today officially accepted $135 million in federal transportation stimulus funds and approved four contracts worth $20.5 million worth to Pike Industries for road paving projects from the Seacoast to the North Country.

The Council approved contracts for $7.8 million of repaving on Route 101 in the Epping-Exeter area; $6.2 million for Interstate-89 in New London; $3.2 million for resurfacing in various areas in the Upper Valley; and $3.3 million for repaving in the North Country.

Pike Industries estimates these contracts will create or help retain 185 to 250 jobs. Federal stimulus funds is allowing the DOT to embark on an aggressive repaving program, with plans to pave nearly 760 miles of roads across all 10 New Hampshire counties this year. Without federal stimulus funding, the DOT would have only been able to contract for 250 miles of road resurfacing.

In addition, the Governor and Council today approved $65 million of state-funded road construction and repaving projects across New Hampshire, including a $12 million contract for continued work on the Manchester Airport Access Road. Other contracts include $6 million for paving and bridge rehabilitation work on Routes 3, 16 and 302 in the North Country; $1.8 million for repaving 9.6 miles of the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Nashua, Hudson, Manchester and Hooksett; $1.2 million for resurfacing and guardrail replacement on Route 10 from Lebanon to Hanover; and a $1.2 million resurfacing contract for 18.2 miles of roads in Hillsborough, Rockingham and Merrimack counties.

“In addition to working to get the stimulus dollars out the door quickly, we are also working to move rapidly with state-funded road construction projects to create and retain jobs for New Hampshire citizens,” Governor Lynch said.

The Governor and Council also accepted $23 million in stimulus funds for weatherization, and approved contracts with six New Hampshire community action agencies to administer the enhanced weatherization program.

The additional funds will allow for the weatherization of 2,500 to 3,500 additional low-income homes over the next three years.

“Expanding weatherization will create jobs today and help families save on their energy bills into the future,” Gov. Lynch said.