Nice nice nice. I know i know righties u rather see this money going over to that shit hole in the middle east but i like it better to see it going to our very own people. Wow has Obama acted quickly on this
No Argument About Stimulus Dollars As These States Get the Shovels Out
By Colby Itkowitz / CQ Politics
Less than a week after President Obama signed the economic stimulus bill into law, some states are moving quickly to take advantage of transportation funding.
Missouri had construction crews working on a bridge replacement within minutes of Obama signing the bill (PL 111-5).
Iowa awarded contracts Feb. 20 on 19 projects ranging from bridge replacements to resurfacing roads worth $56.6 million.
In Utah, transportation officials solicited bids for six highway repavement projects. Contracts will be awarded in early March, said Nile Easton, a spokesman for the state's department of transportation.
"Every Tuesday and Thursday for the next six to eight weeks we'll advertise chunks of projects," Easton said. He said all of the projects will be awarded contracts by late spring and the state's entire list will be completed by the end of the calendar year.
Supporters of the $787.2 billion legislation (PL 111-5) banked on quick action when making the case for transportation spending as an economic stimulant. The Congressional Budget Office, however, was dubious that states could use the money quickly, and opponents still are skeptical how soon the $27.5 billion for highways and bridges will be put to use.
Pennsylvania's Transportation Department is working with metropolitan and rural planning groups to finalize its list of projects. While department spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick couldn't say when the first contracts would be awarded, he said mandated deadlines would be met.
"We want to do it right, but speed is a huge priority," Kirkpatrick said. "There was no way this DOT or any DOT was going to drop the ball on this. The stakes were too high."
The stimulus law requires states to begin obligating the first 50 percent of its highway money within 120 days from Feb. 17 or those dollars will be redistributed. That means states have until mid-June to begin using that money.
In Nebraska, the first seven stimulus projects are to begin in late March. Mary Jo Oie, spokeswoman for the state transportation department, said more projects will be awarded each month.
The same is true in North Carolina, where the requisite 50 percent of its highway funds will be spent in June with the first group of projects awarded in the beginning of April, said state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Nicole Burris.
In Utah, Easton said, the road surfaces are in poor condition, but the repairs had been at the back of the priority line. "This is a shot in the arm for us to take care of a lot of these types of projects," he said.
Some states are looking past the 120-day mark just in case more money becomes available.
Julie Oaks, spokeswoman for the Tennessee State Department of Transportation, said all of that state's stimulus money for roads and bridges will be used by the end of June.
"We are trying to position ourselves that if there are states not able to use their funds that we'll be able to pick some of theirs up," she said. "We have more [projects] ready to go than we have funds available at this point."
Speaking to a room of state transportation officials on Monday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman James L. Oberstar , D-Minn., said how the states handle the stimulus money would determine how seriously transportation needs are taken in future legislation.
"You know you can deliver," he told the state officials. "And I'm counting on you to do it."
No Argument About Stimulus Dollars As These States Get the Shovels Out
By Colby Itkowitz / CQ Politics
Less than a week after President Obama signed the economic stimulus bill into law, some states are moving quickly to take advantage of transportation funding.
Missouri had construction crews working on a bridge replacement within minutes of Obama signing the bill (PL 111-5).
Iowa awarded contracts Feb. 20 on 19 projects ranging from bridge replacements to resurfacing roads worth $56.6 million.
In Utah, transportation officials solicited bids for six highway repavement projects. Contracts will be awarded in early March, said Nile Easton, a spokesman for the state's department of transportation.
"Every Tuesday and Thursday for the next six to eight weeks we'll advertise chunks of projects," Easton said. He said all of the projects will be awarded contracts by late spring and the state's entire list will be completed by the end of the calendar year.
Supporters of the $787.2 billion legislation (PL 111-5) banked on quick action when making the case for transportation spending as an economic stimulant. The Congressional Budget Office, however, was dubious that states could use the money quickly, and opponents still are skeptical how soon the $27.5 billion for highways and bridges will be put to use.
Pennsylvania's Transportation Department is working with metropolitan and rural planning groups to finalize its list of projects. While department spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick couldn't say when the first contracts would be awarded, he said mandated deadlines would be met.
"We want to do it right, but speed is a huge priority," Kirkpatrick said. "There was no way this DOT or any DOT was going to drop the ball on this. The stakes were too high."
The stimulus law requires states to begin obligating the first 50 percent of its highway money within 120 days from Feb. 17 or those dollars will be redistributed. That means states have until mid-June to begin using that money.
In Nebraska, the first seven stimulus projects are to begin in late March. Mary Jo Oie, spokeswoman for the state transportation department, said more projects will be awarded each month.
The same is true in North Carolina, where the requisite 50 percent of its highway funds will be spent in June with the first group of projects awarded in the beginning of April, said state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Nicole Burris.
In Utah, Easton said, the road surfaces are in poor condition, but the repairs had been at the back of the priority line. "This is a shot in the arm for us to take care of a lot of these types of projects," he said.
Some states are looking past the 120-day mark just in case more money becomes available.
Julie Oaks, spokeswoman for the Tennessee State Department of Transportation, said all of that state's stimulus money for roads and bridges will be used by the end of June.
"We are trying to position ourselves that if there are states not able to use their funds that we'll be able to pick some of theirs up," she said. "We have more [projects] ready to go than we have funds available at this point."
Speaking to a room of state transportation officials on Monday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman James L. Oberstar , D-Minn., said how the states handle the stimulus money would determine how seriously transportation needs are taken in future legislation.
"You know you can deliver," he told the state officials. "And I'm counting on you to do it."
