Gov. Gregoire announces certification for 138 transportation projects (with county specific detail)

For Immediate Release: March 23, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that she certified 138 transportation projects, which makes them ready to receive funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The state is expected to receive $551 million dollars from the federal stimulus package to help pay for the certified projects.

�We promised that we would expedite the certification process, and now 138 transportation projects are ready to go,� Gregoire said. �By working in partnership with the Obama administration, we are saving and creating jobs by quickly getting the federal stimulus funding moving through our economy.�

Infrastructure project certifications enable the governor to confirm to the federal government that construction projects ― roads, water systems and others ― have received the review required by law and represent an appropriate investment of taxpayer dollars.

To learn more about these transportation projects, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/funding/stimulus.

Washington expects to receive more than $4.5 billion from the federal stimulus package that will be used to modernize Washington�s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, increase access to health care and provide tax relief. The White House estimates the package will sustain or create nearly 75,000 jobs in Washington state.

In addition to the certification of the 138 transportation projects, the governor announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has provided stimulus funds to four Washington airports:

-Bellingham International Airport ($800,000)
-Paine Field in Snohomish County ($11.3 million)
-Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake ($2 million)
-Pangborn in Wenatchee ($1 million)

Gregoire also announced that $38 million in economic stimulus funds will be distributed soon to make improvements to Washington�s water systems. To see the list of projects under consideration, visit: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/draft_list.pdf.

To date, the state has distributed approximately $177 million of its federal economic stimulus money, most in Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding.

Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gregoire created a new Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states� recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.