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President Obama, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Senator Robert Byrd and Representative Nick Rahall Deliver Millions in Highway Funds for West Virginia 

3/3/2009 

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood,  Senator Jay Rockefeller, Senator Robert Byrd and Representative Nick Rahall today released $210 for West Virginia from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help the state build and repair roads and bridges.

 

The President apportioned ARRA funding to the states, setting how much each state may spend and authorizing funds for the nation’s many ARRA-funded projects expected to begin today and throughout the week. 

 

“Two weeks ago, I signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the most sweeping economic recovery plan in history.  And already, its impact is being felt across this nation,” said President Obama. “…Of the 3.5 million jobs that will be created and saved over the next two years as a result of this recovery plan, 400,000 will be jobs rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, and schools, repairing our faulty levees and dams, connecting nearly every American to broadband, and upgrading the buses and trains that commuters take every day.”

 

“Never before in the history of this country have the people been more able to see with such complete transparency how we're going to put their money to work… Our web site, recovery.gov, is an unprecedented resource for the people to see how their money is being spent.” said Vice President Biden. “…With this recovery package, we'll be creating jobs, saving jobs, and putting money in people's pockets.  That's what this is about -- getting America moving again.”

 

“President Obama is keeping his promise to the American people and he is doing it ahead-of schedule,” said Secretary LaHood. “This is a long-overdue investment in our transportation infrastructure and in jobs for Americans.”

 

State highway departments have already identified more than 100 other transportation projects across the country where construction can start within the month. That number is expected to grow substantially as more states submit projects for approval. 
 

Each proposed project must be approved by the department’s 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.   

 

Efforts to accurately track the money as it is being spent and ensure transparency and that all accountability requirements are being met have been central to the ARRA initiative, said Secretary LaHood.  

 

Pertinent information on state projects is accessible to the public on the www.recovery.gov Web site.

Jill Zuckman