Work is underway on 4,200 mass-transit projects totaling more than $5 billion, and nearly 12,000 highway and bridge projects totaling $24 billion, according to the "More Projects and Paychecks: Transportation's Summer of Recovery" report by AASHTO. As of Aug. 31, 13,000 highway projects worth more than $26 billion have been approved for construction. When completed, they will result in 35,000 miles of improved highways and 1,200 repaired bridges.

"These are big numbers," said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley. "Billions of dollars are being invested in transportation projects that are creating paychecks for tens of thousands of construction workers hard hit by construction-sector unemployment rates that were well above 20% earlier this year. And when you consider that more than 6,000 highway and bridge projects and nearly 2,500 transit projects have already been completed, you can see firsthand how states are delivering for the American people."

This report and its predecessor, "Projects and Paychecks: A One-Year Report on State Transportation Success under ARRA," offer a snapshot of the real and lasting improvements to the roads, bridges, and transit systems the nation relies on. The reports also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of hundreds of thousands of state DOT employees, contractors, and manufacturers who worked tirelessly to move these projects forward and to meet rigorous reporting requirements and deadlines.

"For every dollar spent in keeping a road in good condition, the American taxpayer saves $10 not spent to rebuild a deteriorated road," Horsley said. "Transportation is a smart investment and we're hoping that this report will help make a strong case for a robust, long-term highway and transit reauthorization."

Horsley and other AASHTO executives presented the report Wednesday morning during a meeting with House Transportation ands Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-Minnesota.

Oberstar commended the report during a committee hearing on the recovery act later Wednesday morning. (see related story)

"AASHTO used the data from this committee to create this report, which is a very exciting read and a very valuable contribution to this process," Oberstar said.

The 40-page report, including state examples of recovery projects and the people they employed, is available at recovery.transportation.org. The February report is also available at that same site.

USDOT Completes Final Obligations of Highway, Transit, & Aviation Money

The day after AASHTO released its latest report, USDOT reached a recovery act milestone when the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration designated the final projects to receive recovery grants. (see FTA news release)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on his blog that both FHWA and FTA obligated the remaining balance of their funds before the Thursday deadline that had been set by law.

"The projects announced this week are more than just abstract milestones," LaHood wrote on his blog. "Each one represents jobs. Each one represents a community benefiting from economic activity stimulated by construction and renovation. And each one represents improved infrastructure that will make getting from Point A to Point B easier for travelers and the goods we use every day."

LaHood also announced that the Federal Aviation Administration selected three additional airport recovery act projects, paid for with almost $3 million that became available because of low bids on other airport projects. This is in addition to $9 million for five airport projects FAA announced earlier this month that also became available because of low bids on other projects.