Gov. Gregoire announces contracts for resurfacing projects in the Columbia Basin and Okanogan

For Immediate Release: May 14, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire and Washington Transportation Sec. Paula Hammond today announced a $3 million paving contract with Central Washington Asphalt, Inc. for projects in Eastern Washington.

These projects use funds received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Construction begins in two weeks and is expected to support at least 30 jobs.

�Washington is putting federal dollars to work quickly and responsibly to improve our roads while getting people back to work,� Gregoire said. �I commend Sec. Hammond on her effectiveness in making our roads safer while getting these dollars out into the economy.�

All three projects -- one in Okanogan County and two in Grant County � are highway preservation projects. In Okanogan County, the project resurfaces 16 miles of SR 155 from Omak east for 16 miles toward the Disautel Pass summit. In Grant County, one project resurfaces all 28 miles of SR 243 along the Columbia River between the Vernita and Vantage Bridges, and the other resurfaces all 24 miles of SR 262 from SR 17 to SR 26, past the Potholes Reservoir.

�We are ready to get these important projects under way because we know they support jobs for local workers helping us rebuild our state�s vital infrastructure,� Hammond said. �These highways were very much in need of repair and were part of our backlog of unfunded highway preservation needs.�

Two qualified bids were opened on April 30 and the $3 million contract was awarded May 4. Construction will begin May 26.

Washington received $492 million in federal ARRA funds for state highway investments, which included $341 million that will fund 34 state highway projects.

Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a 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.