In an effort to keep and create jobs, the governor announced today the state is spending $12.6 million of its federal stimulus funding to repair or replace overhead roadway sign supports and traffic signals.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell said $5.6 million has been allocated for the sign work at 20 locations statewide during the upcoming construction season under contracts administered by the state Department of Transportation.
In addition, $7 million will be used to install new traffic signals in 30 towns across Connecticut, rell said.
These projects are among $200 million in transportation improvements the Connecticut Recovery Working Group approved this week.
The sign work will be done along interstates and state highways in Hartford, West Hartford, Norwalk, Trumbull, Shelton, Derby, Ansonia, Newtown, Waterbury, Meriden, Middlefield, Rocky Hill, Bolton and Colchester.
“The stimulus projects we are approving are designed to keep people employed and get job-seekers back to work,” Rell said. “The locations where we will be upgrading highway signs are scattered across the state and should help do exactly that.
Under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Connecticut is in line to receive $302 million for highway infrastructure projects and, of that; approximately 30 percent must go to local and regional projects.
Overall, Connecticut will receive about $3 billion in federal stimulus dollars. Approximately $1.65 billion is in direct aid and grants while $1.3 billion is in the form of Medicaid assistance. The federal government estimates the ARRA will create and/or save more than 40,000 jobs in Connecticut.
