Press Release

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded 6 more American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) federal stimulus program contracts valued at $7.4 million, in 7 southwest Georgia counties. They are among hundreds being awarded to create and sustain jobs throughout the state, according to Georgia DOT Commissioner Vance Smith, Jr.

“This truly is a ‘win-win’ for Georgia,” Smith said. “We’re creating and saving jobs for our citizens while at the same time making important safety, capacity and maintenance improvements to our highway system.”

Construction should begin next month on these projects. Details on individual projects can be found via: http://tomcat2.dot.state.ga.us/ContractsAdministration/index.cfm?a=a&fuseaction=dynamic.section&secID=18

To-date, a total of 71 highway system stimulus projects – valued at a combined $142 million – have been awarded; another 43 – worth an estimated $250 million – will be acted on within a few weeks to complete Phase One of Georgia DOT’s ARRA implementation. In August, the Department will begin awarding some $370 million in Phase Two projects, a process expected to continue through the fall.

“Our Phase Two priority will continue to be carefully evaluating and selecting ‘most-needed’ projects throughout Georgia and then awarding projects that will create and sustain as many jobs in as many parts of the state as possible, especially those areas considered economically depressed,” Smith added.

Georgia DOT is responsible for 70 percent of Georgia’s $932 million in highway system ARRA funds. The remaining 30 percent is divided among the state’s 15 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and designated rural areas. The MPOs, in conjunction with the Department, are funding projects from these respective allocations. The state also received $144 million in stimulus funds for public transit and Georgia DOT has awarded related local grants totaling approximately $39 million. Georgia is eligible for additional highway, rail and aviation grants from funds totaling $12.1 billion.

The ARRA is a national effort to create jobs and transform America’s economy to compete in the 21st century. Nationwide, some $48 billion in stimulus investments are being made in transportation infrastructure, including highways, public transit, high speed rail and aviation. Georgia DOT has created a Web page (www.dot.ga.gov/gastimulus) devoted to stimulus activities to provide specific program information and promote transparency of the process.

All selected ARRA stimulus projects are fully funded by the federal government; no state or local matching funds are required.

Georgia DOT costs estimates are projections of the possible total cost of a project to the Department. Estimates are tentative and preliminary. They include, but are not limited to, items such as contingencies, possible costs associated with utility conflicts, project inspections, testing and engineering. These are potential costs to the Department, not to a project’s contractor; thus, they will not be reflected in contractor bids.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site (www.dot.ga.gov).