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Contracting activity for transit and infrastructure projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (P.L. 111-5) is sharply increasing, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reports.
The committee’s “Second Recovery Report,” released May 21, shows that the number of projects put out for bid increased from 1,380 in March to 2,901 in April. The total invested in these projects—which take in all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia—as of the end of April, represented almost $10 billion by April 30, 72 days after President Obama signed the law.
In addition, work had started on 545 transportation and infrastructure projects, valued at $2.1 billion, as of May 21, the report said.
“The states and their local partners have demonstrated that they can deliver transportation and infrastructure projects and create urgently needed employment in the tight time frames set forth in the Recovery Act,” said Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), committee chairman. “This Committee is committed to transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Recovery Act, and we will continue our vigorous oversight of how the money is invested.”
The Committee also received reports from all federal agencies implementing programs that received Recovery Act funds for projects under the Committee’s jurisdiction. As of May 15, 2009, the agencies had announced 5,850 projects totaling $22 billion. Funds had been obligated for 3,426 projects totaling $11.6 billion. The Federal Highway Administration alone had obligated 3,305 projects totaling $11.3 billion, over 41 percent of the total highway funds in the Act.
The Committee is requesting that federal agencies, states, and other grant recipients file their next reports by June 15.
For more information, visit http://transportation.house.gov/.
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