Federal stimulus dollars go to 7th District transportation projects

March 9, 2009

Olympia…The governor has signed a measure that authorizes the state Department of Transportation to spend up to $341.4 million in funding provided through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that became law on February 17. Five projects in the 7th District are among those on the list: 

• U.S. 2/Jct S.R. 211 to Newport (paving) - $7.83 million

• S.R. 20 Sherman Pass Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) site upgrade and new HAR at U.S. 395/S.R. 26 - $240,000

• U.S. 395/Spokane County line to Loon Lake (paving) - $2.38 million

• U.S. 395/Loon Lake to Immel Road (paving) - $9.03 million

• S.R. 155/Omak eastward (chip seal) - $1.06 million

 The projects total $20.54 million. 

The federal stimulus transportation package and the 2009 supplemental transportation budget were embodied in Substitute House Bill 1978 which passed the House earlier on the same day as the Senate took action. The governor signed the bill into law on March 5. 

It is estimated that the total package will create 5,000 private-sector jobs statewide. All state transportation projects are done through private contractors. 

“I’m glad to have the jobs for our people and the improvements to our roads,” Morton said. 

-30-