California Recovery Task Force Announces Rapid Progress On Transportation Projects

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Bidding Open Today On $22.1 Million Highway Project

04/14/2009 -- As the California state Department of Transportation (Caltrans) begins the bidding process for what is by far the largest highway project yet to enter the construction phase and to be funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars, California Governor Schwarzenegger’s Recovery Task Force took a snapshot of progress on the first transportation infrastructure dollars headed to California from the Recovery Act.

To date, Caltrans has already received federal certification for $750 million in road projects, has obligated funds for $260 million worth of those projects, and is on pace to exceed the White House’s expectations for obligating half of the highway construction dollars by June 30.

Today, bids were opened on a $22.1 million pavement rehabilitation project on Interstate 80 in the city of Fairfield, Solano County. Caltrans expects the project will break ground May 1 - in approximately two weeks. There were 13 bidders with the lowest bid coming in 35 percent lower than the estimated cost.

Caltrans has taken action, starting with ABX3 20 by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), signed by the Governor on March 27, to expedite the typical lengthy process of getting federal government-involved highway construction projects underway.

“We’re confident that we will exceed the federal government’s expectations in putting this money to work and creating jobs as quickly as possible,” said Will Kempton, Caltrans director and member of the Recovery Task Force.

For more information on Caltrans’ Recovery Act-related projects, visit the department’s Recovery Web page here: http://dot.ca.gov/Recovery.

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.

Source: California Governor