05/04/2009 GAAS:215:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Exceeding Federal Expectations, Obligating $1 Billion Recovery Act Funds Two Months Ahead of Deadline
Focused on pumping American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act)
funding into the California
economy as quickly and effectively as possible, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
today announced that over $1 billion in Recovery Act funding has now been
obligated to nearly 80 transportation infrastructure projects statewide. Under
the Recovery Act states were given 120 days to obligate the first half of their
transportation infrastructure funding, and California has obligated this funding in
less than 60 days - over two months ahead of deadline. Additionally, California is the first
state in the nation to obligate $1 billion of this funding.
"The federal government gave us 120 days to act and we did it in less than
60 because of advance planning and determination to pump this funding into the
economy as quickly and effectively as possible," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
"Californians can rest assured that we are working around the clock, meeting
federal deadlines and creating jobs in California
through the Recovery Act."
Last week, the Governor announced the
groundbreaking of a $13.3 million Interstate 80 pavement rehabilitation
project, the first Recovery Act to break ground on construction in the state
and is estimated to create over 200 jobs in the construction industry. With
today's announcement, 80 transportation projects are now in the pipeline to
begin construction. To view the complete
project list please click here. Overseen by the California Recovery Task Force and implemented through the
state Department of Transportation, California
will receive a total of nearly $2.6 billion from the Recovery Act for highways
and local streets and $1 billion for transit projects through the federal
government's implementation of the Recovery Act. Discretionary programs could
also add another $300 million in funding, and California expects to be very competitive in
securing a major share of $8 billion set aside nationally for high-speed and
intercity passenger 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.
