Daniels Sends Transportation Secretary State Plans for Highway Stimulus Funds

Press Release

Daniels sends transportation secretary state plans for highway stimulus funds

Governor Mitch Daniels today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood outlining the state's plan for $658 million in highway infrastructure stimulus funds Indiana is expected to receive.

Keeping with the intent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the direction of President Obama, Indiana has moved quickly to finalize a plan to commit all of the stimulus highway funds. Daniels said the state's portion will be obligated by the end of May.

According to ARRA, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will receive $440 million, local agencies will receive $198 million and $20 million is dedicated for transportation enhancement projects, which includes trails, sidewalks and stoplights.

INDOT has already released its first two lists of projects for bid that will utilize federal stimulus funds; a third list will be released within the next two weeks. INDOT also has issued guidance to Metropolitan Planning Organizations and local governments for submitting projects for consideration. Local projects will be obligated as fast as possible but no later than March 2, 2010, as required by ARRA.

"Because of our Toll Road transaction, Indiana has already shattered records for road building the past three years. These stimulus projects will come on top of that investment and reach even further," said Daniels.

The $658 million in highway infrastructure stimulus projects is in addition to $1.2 billion in Major Moves investment that is underway in the current fiscal year.

Utilizing estimates provided by the federal government, it is estimated the stimulus funds for highway infrastructure will create about 11,480 jobs.

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