BOSTON - June 25, 2009 As part of Governor Deval Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan, the Patrick Administration today announced its federal highway investments tdate have already exceeded the $153.2 million Massachusetts commitment under the federal "use-it-or-lose it" 120-day deadline of June 30. Under an aggressive timeline set by Governor Patrick, 31 shovel ready projects have moved forward under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), representing an investment of $187.4 million.

"I am delighted tinvest federal stimulus funds in these projects, and tprovide lasting economic impact in communities across the Commonwealth," said Governor Deval Patrick.

A $70 million Fall River-Freetown Route 24 project announced today is one of several initial Massachusetts projects funded by ARRA focused on investing in critical transportation infrastructure projects that achieve multiple objectives including economic development, regional equity, stronger public transit and job creation components. Other examples include the $12.8 million innovative Franklin Regional Transit Center project tprovide a transportation hub for Franklin County supporting public and private transit services, and the $4.1 million Newburyport Park & Ride expansion project advertised for bid this month.

"Our recovery efforts are using this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity tinvest in projects that create jobs, support transit and spark economic development," said Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, Jr. "In every corner of the Commonwealth, we are putting people twork tbuild safer roads and more livable communities."

The Route 24 project includes a new Exit 8B interchange along with construction of new access roads that will provide economic benefits tFreetown and Fall River by improving access tcommercial developments. The transportation project builds on $17 million in economic development grants that the Patrick Administration awarded earlier this year for the creation of the Fall River Executive Park.

"We are proud of this infrastructure initiative which provides the dual benefit of immediate jobs for Massachusetts residents that will result in long-term improvements for commuters across Massachusetts," said Jeffrey A. Simon, Director of Infrastructure Investment for the Commonwealth.

Additional ARRA projects advertised for bid in June using federal stimulus funds include:

• Newburyport- $4.1million expansion of the state's most popular Park & Ride lot
• Wilbraham- $3.3 million bridge rehabilitation, Red Bridge Road.
• Fitchburg/Westminster- $8 million resurfacing, Route 2
• Shrewsbury/Worcester- $3.5 million resurfacing, Route 20
• Avon/Stoughton- $5 million resurfacing, Route 24
• Brockton- $5.8 million reconstruction of Route 27 at West Street
• Westford- $4.1 million intersection and signal improvements, Route 110 and Route 225.

Massachusetts has received the authority from the federal government to spend a total of $437.9 million on transportation projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including the $153.2 million committed to "shovel-ready" projects advertised for bid by the end of June.

Projects funded with the remaining transportation federal stimulus funds must be advertised for bid by March 2010. The total stimulus funding for Massachusetts includes $319 million in recovery funds for transit projects at the Regional Transit Authorities and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in addition to a total of $437 million in highway funding. Federal recovery funds enhance the Patrick-Murray Administration's two year effort to address a legacy of neglect inherited from previous Administrations. The Administration working with the Legislature has approved more than $9 billion for road, bridge and transit projects through Transportation Bond bills and an historic eight-year Accelerated Bridge Repair Program.

For more information about Massachusetts' transportation stimulus projects, including an interactive Google map, visit EOT's recovery web page at: www.eot.state.ma.us/recovery/

For more information about Governor Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Plan website visit: www.eot.state.ma.us/recovery/

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