Metro leaders to vote on how to spend $14 million
Last Update: 2/25/2009 9:05 am
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While some states may turn away money from the stimulus package, Arkansas welcomes the funds. A total of $2.1 billion is heading to the Natural State. Over $300 million of that will benefit roads and highways.A major announcement is expected soon on how an area planning group will use the money. Metroplan, which plans road projects for the Little Rock metro area, is voting on how to spend $14 million dollars Wednesday. It comes from the president's stimulus package. The money will go towards major road improvements designed to keep you safe and create jobs.Every central Arkansas city has big plans of how to upgrade its roads. "Our board tomorrow will talk about which projects it wants to fund with the stimulus money," said Metroplan Director Jim McKenzie.He plans to discuss with his board members how to divvy up $14 million now coming to Arkansas. They must sift through each project, which various mayors and county judges believe are vital to the infrastructure in their respective areas.Metroplan is checking its priority list for special projects but some have faced roadblocks in funding. The new stimulus plan is giving some of those projects the clearance they never had before."Brockington Road in Sherwood, widening Brockington has been in the works for a number of years. That widening project was actually needed about 10 years ago but you can only do what you can fund," McKenzie said.Even though $14 million may sound like a lot, McKenzie says the stimulus will probably just fund up to four projects."We have two rail grade separations that are close to going to contract, one at Salem Road in Conway, one at South Loop down in Mabelvale. Military road in Benton is another major widening that's been in the works for some number of years. There's a roundabout on Pike Ave. in North Little Rock and several other roadway projects that are close to going to contract and that's where we plan to use the roundabout money," McKenzie said. There are so many needs and so little time. "We're all going to be very busy people for the next 12 months," he said.Twelve months is the amount of time the federal government is giving cities to come up with how they'll spend the money. If they don't have a plan, the money will be re-routed to cities that could use it. Metroplan says Central Arkansas says it already has a plan to make good use of the stimulus. Metroplan has to send their projects to contractors and then request reimbursement from the federal government to receive the $14 million.The state Highway Commission is also meeting Wednesday. It must obligate 50% of its $300 million within four months and the rest of it within 12 months. The Highway Commission says the money will help it get three years worth of projects done in just two years.
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