State green lights stimulus funds for roads

The Commonwealth Transportation Board on Thursday advanced 120 stimulus projects through eight construction contracts at its monthly meeting in Richmond.

The move is part of the state’s effort to invest nearly $695 million in highway funding under the federal stimulus program. Thirty-six projects statewide, including three in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Culpeper District, were awarded.

Lou Hatter, spokesman for VDOT’s Culpeper District, said the projects in the region are:

* Delaplane Grade Road over Gap Run in Fauquier County
* Cromwell Road over Town Run in Fauquier County and
* Route 622 over the Rush River in Rappahannock County.

The Culpeper District covers a nine-county area.

“Our priorities are to address deficient pavements, structurally deficient bridges and much needed highway capacity and rail improvements to improve the economic competitiveness of the commonwealth,” said Secretary of Transportation Pierce R. Homer. “We have been very deliberate and thorough in selecting projects to maximize this investment and provide long-term benefits for Virginia.”

The CTB also took action to speed the award of stimulus projects this fall by authorizing VDOT Commissioner David. S. Ekern to approve bids and execute contracts for stimulus-funded projects through Dec. 17, provided the bids are within the construction estimate.

Normally, contracts that exceed $2 million must be approved by the CTB. Officials said the move would allow VDOT to advance stimulus projects that are ready to move forward without having to wait for the next monthly CTB meeting.