Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 05/04/2009 10:19 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 05/04/2009 10:21 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Exceeding Federal Expectations, Obligating $1 Billion Recovery Act Funds Two Months Ahead of Deadline~by David Anderson
Sacramento, CA....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 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.
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.
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