Turning red

By: Roads & Bridges

Click the download PDF link in the LearnMore! box to see the percentage of ARRA highway funds obligated by state.

During July, state and local transportation agencies obligated $1.3 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) highway funds for highway or other eligible projects, bringing the total obligated to $17.7 billion. This represented 65.7% of the $26.9 billion of ARRA highway funds apportioned or allocated.

Below are highlights of the sixth report released by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, along with a color-coded map of the U.S. showing each state’s activity.

Maine remained the only state that had obligated 100% of its ARRA funds. Other leading states included Wyoming (96.3%), Utah (93.8%), the District of Columbia (91.3%) and Iowa (91.1%). As of July 31, 15 states had obligated at least 75%;

During July, state and local DOTs paid contractors more than $400 million for construction work performed, bringing outlays of ARRA highway funds to $676.6 million. Illinois had paid out the largest dollar amount at over $90 million; and

Eighteen states had obligated $320.8 million of ARRA highway funds for nonhighway investments. This money included $272.4 million that has been flexed to transit, including $175 million by the state of New York.