PennDOT releases final stimulus list
HARRISBURG The Department of Transportation last Tuesday released the final list of highway and bridge projects funded by $1 26 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). PennDOT also released a list of $1.8 billion in projects already scheduled to go to contract in 2009. PennDOT Dunmore spokeswoman Karen Dussinger said the regional office is still working on a list of additional projects in case they get more money from those states that are unable to get their projects out in time and their money becomes available. “If the government wants to divvy it up ... we’ll be ready,” she said. Legislators, PennDOT and local officials still continue to feed the office their preferred projects for that list. Statewide projects lists are available on PennDOT’s Web site, www.dot.state.pa.us and at www.recovery.pa.gov. “With the added investment from the federal recovery initiative funding, PennDOT will drive a powerful economic engine to help turn around the economy by creating tens of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in material orders,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “We are adding the stimulus work on top of the projects we had already planned for this year, and the combined investment totals close to $3 billion by far the most highway and bridge work ever produced in a single year in Pennsylvania.” The lists, developed with extensive input from the Rural and Metropolitan Planning Organizations across the state, are available on PennDOT’s Web site, www.dot.state.pa.us and at www.recovery.pa.gov. “We will work with contractors and the Federal Highway Administration to get the work started as quickly as possible to get people working and material orders flowing. Tens of thousands of jobs and the state’s economic recovery are riding on our efforts and we simply will not fail the people of Pennsylvania,” Biehler said. Under Governor Rendell’s Rebuild Pennsylvania program, approved as part of the 2008-09 state budget, a combination of federal and state funds will underwrite repairs to 411 bridges in the state transportation improvement program. Bridge investments in Pennsylvania have more than tripled in the past six years; growing to approximately $1 billion in 2008-09, compared to $259 million in 2003. Pike County stimulus US Route 6, Delaware River - Preservation of US Route 6 bridge over Delaware River in Matamoras Borough -Bridge Preservation cost $2,440,000 US Route 6, Bike Shoulder Improvements - US Route 6 Bike Route in Lackawaxen Township, Blooming Grove and Milford Township - Shoulder Improvements cost $2,660,000 Interstate Highway 84, Resurfacing - Resurfacing of Interstate 84 eastbound in Pike County -Resurfacing cost $9,240,000 Various Pike County projects, Resurfacing - Resurfacing on various state routes in Pike County - Resurfacing cost $92,000