Governor Rendell: Pennsylvania Ranks Second in Recovery Act Investments in Highways; State's Progress Well Ahead of National Averages

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today released statistics showing that Pennsylvania is ranked second among states in quickly putting federal Recovery Act funds to work to repair highways.

Governor Rendell noted that the majority of Recovery Act transportation projects have gone to small businesses. Prime and sub contractors with fewer than 100 employees have received 67 and 83 percent, respectively, of the stimulus transportation projects.

According to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 99.7 percent of Pennsylvania's Recovery Act highway formula funds are out to bid, 99.7 percent of funds are under contract, and 99.7 percent are underway. Nationally, only 93.9 percent of Recovery Act highway formula funds are out to bid, 81.7 percent of funds are under contract, and 74.2 percent of funds are underway.

Media contact: Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: The attached letter offers supporting details.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. 20515

May 5, 2010

Dear Governor Rendell:

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure continues to perform vigorous oversight of the transportation and infrastructure provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 11-5) (Recovery Act), to ensure that the funds provided are invested quickly, efficiently, and in harmony with the job-creating purposes of the Act. The critical information provided in your monthly reports has proved essential to the Committee's efforts to understand how States and their local partners have delivered transportation and infrastructure projects and created urgently needed employment in the tight timeframes set forth in the Act. [1]

During the fourteen months following enactment of the Recovery Act, we have witnessed how the transportation and infrastructure investments of the Act have played a key role in putting Americans back to work. All Sates met the one-year deadline (March 2, 2010) to obligate 100 percent of their Recovery Act highway funds. Many States have also moved aggressively to put out to bid, sign contracts for, and begin construction of Recovery Act highway projects.

Commendably, Pennsylvania has consistently led the nation in putting to work its Recovery Act highway funds. Based on the State progress reports submitted to the Committee in April 2010, your State ranks second out of 51 States [2], based on an analysis of the percentage of Recovery Act highway funds put out to bid, under contract, and underway [3]. As of March 31, Pennsylvania has begun construction of projects totaling 99.7 percent of the State's funding.

I expect that your State will continue to successfully implement this program and serve as a model for other States around the nation. Together, we are creating and sustaining family-wage jobs, contributing to our nation's long-term economic growth, and helping the United States recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Thank you for your efforts.

Sincerely,

James L. Oberstar, M.C.

Chairman

[1] See P.L. 111-5, S. 1201. In addition to the statutory reporting requirements of the Recovery Act, the Committee has requested and received transparency and accountability information on implementation of the transportation and infrastructure provisions of the Recovery Act from Federal agencies, States, metropolitan planning organizations, and public transit agencies. The Committee has also held 18 oversight hearings on implementation of the Recovery Act.

[2] These rankings include the 50 States and the District of Columbia. The rankings do not include the Territories.

[3] According to the State's submission, as of March 31, 2010, 99.7 percent of Pennsylvania's Recovery Act highway formula funds are out to bid, 99.7 percent are under contract, and 99.7 percent of funds are underway. Nationally, 93.9 percent of Recovery Act highway formula funds are out to bid, 81.7 percent of funds are under contract, and 74.2 percent of funds are underway.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor