Every state met the target by last Friday, and more than 30 states had reached full obligation at least a week ahead of the deadline, putting a total of $26.6 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to work on highway projects across the United States.

"Construction projects across the country are already creating jobs and upgrading our nation's infrastructure, but we're just getting started," Biden said at the Florida 25/U.S. 27 construction site in Clermont. The $20 million project is employing more than 50 workers. It will widen nearly four miles of the road from four to six lanes, reducing congestion and improving commute times. "Because these projects were funded on time and, in many cases, under budget, we're going to be able to put even more people to work improving our highways just as the spring construction season kicks into high gear."

In its first year, the recovery act has improved more than 33,000 miles of pavement nationwide, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Almost 7,800 projects are underway while more than 12,000 have been obligated, meaning federal funding has been committed to paying for some or all of their cost.

"I've been to recovery projects all across the country and I always hear the same thing from contractors -- this work allows them to keep people working and hire new people, and that's what it's all about," LaHood said. "The states have done a great job in getting all these projects out the door, but to create more jobs and continue strengthening the economy, we have more work to do."

Florida has obligated a total of 588 recovery highway projects, of which 308 are underway. Indiana has the most recovery-funded highway projects at 1,087, of which 818 are underway.

"The more than 12,000 highway recovery projects around the country are clear evidence that transportation investment pays off twice -- first with good-paying jobs for workers and second with the long-lasting improvements made to our transportation system," said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley. "States can repeat this outstanding effort if Congress provides additional resources for highways and transit. Some 9,800 projects worth $79 billion are ready to go and waiting -- a vital opportunity to boost the economic recovery and put people back to work."

Examples of 150 state recovery projects and the people they have helped are included in the AASHTO report, "Projects and Paychecks: A One-Year Report on State Transportation Successes under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act." The report and examples are available at recovery.transportation.org.