04/30/2009 GAAS:208:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces First Construction Groundbreaking of a Recovery Act Funded Infrastructure Project
State Pumping Recovery Act Funds into Economy Quickly & Effectively To Create Jobs
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the first
construction groundbreaking of an infrastructure project funded by the America
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in California. The project will create
more than an estimated 200 jobs in the construction industry and improve the
pavement on a 50-year-old section of Interstate 80 located in the Bay Area's
Fairfield between State Route 12 and Air Base Parkway, a roadway used by nearly
200,000 motorists each day. Funded fully by Recovery Act dollars and coming in
nearly 40 percent under original cost estimates, this project was the first
ARRA project bid to be opened, awarded and break ground on construction in
California.
"When President Obama made infrastructure projects a
priority, we immediately took action because we know firsthand this investment
provides a shot to the arm for our economy and puts Californians back to work,"
said Governor Schwarzenegger. "The groundbreaking of this project
illustrates how quickly and effectively we are pumping Recovery Act funding
into our economy to create jobs for Californians and invest in the future of
our state's infrastructure."
Expected to be completed by the end of 2009, the $13.5
million project will resurface and repair the freeway thereby extending
pavement life, saving taxpayers money, and improving road conditions for
motorists and truckers moving goods. The winning bid from contractor Top Grade
Construction of Livermore was the lowest bid submitted at nearly 40 percent
below the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) cost estimate.
Savings from this project have been directed to advance other highway projects.
"This is the first Recovery Act funded infrastructure
project to break ground in California, with $13.5 million in spending hitting
the streets and our economy," said Will Kempton, Director of Caltrans and a
member of the Governor's California Recovery Act Task Force. "The Department is
working around the clock with the federal government to ensure that these
Recovery Act dollars are pumped into our economy as quickly and effectively as
possible to create jobs, jobs, jobs."
By the end of April, the Federal Highway Administration will
have authorized the expenditure of nearly $850 million in federal economic
stimulus funds to California for transportation projects, putting the state on
track to have $900 million authorized by June 30 to meet the requirements of
the Recovery Act. Funds that other states do not use by this deadline
will become available for the other states for transportation projects, which
California will pursue aggressively.
Estimates show California will receive nearly $2.6
billion from the Recovery Act for highways and local streets and $1 billion for
transit projects. Discretionary programs could add another $300 million and
California expects to be very competitive in securing a portion of $8 billion
set aside nationally for high-speed rail and intercity rail.
Governor Schwarzenegger created the California
Recovery Task Force to track the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding
coming into the state; work with President Barack Obama's administration; help
cities, counties, non-profits, and others access the available funding; ensure
that the funding funneled through the state is spent efficiently and effectively;
and maintain a Web site that is frequently and thoroughly updated for
Californians to be able to track the stimulus dollars.
The Task Force can be reached through its Web site, www.recovery.ca.gov, or by telephone
at (916) 322-4688.
