Phase I Transportation Projects Approved in 20 Days Rather Than the 120 Days Provided          
          
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 26, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that Maryland is the first State in the nation to meet requirements that will allow it to use at least half of its $431 million of highway funding provided by President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). States are required to certify with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that projects are eligible for federal funds and ready for construction within 120 days or the funding will be redistributed to other states. At Governor O’Malley’s direction, Maryland achieved this milestone by obtaining FHWA approval of all 74 Phase I projects by Monday, March 23, only 20 days after the funds were allocated on March 3.           
          
“By moving swiftly to gain the required federal approvals, we can meet our goal of getting jobs out on the street as soon as possible,” said Governor O’Malley. “This is all about preserving jobs. With the recovery dollars starting to flow, we are able to invest in our transportation infrastructure, invest in our people and invest in Maryland families. Together, we are building a better future.”           
          
Phase I of Maryland’s ARRA funded highway projects totals more than $224 million and has the potential to support up to 10,000 jobs. The State Highway Administration (SHA) advertised all state and several Baltimore City Phase I projects by March 17 with one final city project scheduled to be advertised April 3. SHA is now working with FHWA to begin the authorization process for Phase II transportation projects that were announced by Governor O’Malley last week.          
          
In February, just 24 hours after President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, Governor O’Malley announced Maryland’s Phase I transit and highway investments totaling $365 million. The first ARRA project in the nation approved by FHWA was Maryland’s safety and resurfacing project along New Hampshire Avenue in Montgomery County. That project is now underway and is projected to support up to 60 jobs during construction that will last through fall 2009. In addition to announcing Phase II projects last week, Governor O’Malley announced that $62 million in ARRA funding will be allocated by formula directly to the local jurisdictions to use on their own local priority transportation projects.           
          
More information on Maryland’s use of federal recovery funding can be found at www.marylandtransportation.com and click on the American flag icon.          
          
          
          
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