MDOT gives ARRA facts on progress being made

BILOXI — During a recent news conference, leaders of the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) showcased the progress being made to create and preserve jobs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.

Larry L. “Butch” Brown, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and SASHTO president said, “The proof is in the numbers. As of July, Mississippi DOT has spent nearly $2 million on payroll. That’s the money going straight into pockets of hundreds of construction workers, helping them to make mortgage payments, buy groceries and pay for back-to-school supplies and clothing for their children.”

All 50 state departments of transportation and the District of Columbia met a June 30th deadline to assign 50 percent of their ARRA funds to a specific highway project. SASHTO’s 12 member states are slated to receive over $7 billion in ARRA funding for highways and bridges.

MDOT released the following ARRA facts:

- MDOT has received approximately $354.56 million for ARRA

- MDOT projects under construction total approximately $225.36 million

- Total employees hours worked for the months of April through July 2009 is $153,445

- Total payroll spent between the months of April through July 2009 is approximately $1.98 million.