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Jul 8, 2009 9:22 pm US/Eastern
Federal Stimulus Funds Coming, Recipients Say
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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A $16 million allocation to fix the interchange for Routes 22 and 30 is about the only tangible evidence the federal stimulus is underway locally.
KDKA
A $16 million allocation to fix the interchange for Routes 22 and 30 is about the only tangible evidence the federal stimulus is underway locally.
PennDOT's Dan Cessna says the region will be the recipient of about $100 million in extra highway funds under the stimulus, including the rehabilitation of the Fort Duquesne Bridge which just went out to bid and the projects involving the Liberty tubes and Route 28.
"What's important - the money is coming, the projects are getting started and the work is a reality," he said
That's also the message for about $300 million in other projects slated for Allegheny County. The money isn't here yet but Economic Development Director Dennis Davin says the federal government is moving quickly by its standards.
The county is looking to use the money to improve the faulty sewer system, make buildings energy efficient and restore and stabilize declining neighborhoods and towns.
But Davin says there are necessary federal approvals and reviews that take time.
"They want to make sure that they get the money to us, we spend the money, we spend it with an appropriate time frame but that there are the appropriate checks and balance in place," Davin said.
And in fact, most of the stimulus money will not be apparent to the naked eye. The major allocations will go to health care and education which are less visible than major public works projects.
The Pittsburgh Public Schools haven't gotten their money yet but expect up to $30 million over the next two years, enabling the district to retain teachers and launch a major literacy program.
"Our charge from the federal government is different from other folks," says Dr. Mark Roosevelt, superintendant of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. "It is to produce some stimulus to the economy but we were charged more importantly with producing some results for children that would improve their college readiness."
The recipients of stimulus money believe it will be here in the coming weeks and months and that it will fulfill its promise of jumpstarting the economy here and across the country.
And if it isn't enough, the county says it's already coming up with applications for the next stimulus package.
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