ARIZONA HIGHWAY PROJECTS LAGGING

By Kent Berk on September 28th, 2009 in BLOG, SCOTTSDALE

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) set aside $522 million in stimulus for Arizona. As of September 1, 2009, the federal government disbursed or agreed to disburse $293 million to Arizona.

But, as of September 3, 2009, Arizona had awarded 47 statewide highway contracts totaling only about $135. million. Arizona has granted only 2 contracts for local highway construction. Apparently, that is because of a lack of local “shovel-ready projects.” According to GAO, “the lack of projects was due to some localities not understanding the allocations that they would receive as well as their unfamiliarity with federal highway requirements.”