How much will we really get in the stimulus package?

[thelakelander]

Counties, cities and transportation authorities across the region were hoping to get major relief for road projects. Unfortunately, that money may never come.

When President Obama said he wanted to rebuild the economy by rebuilding infrastructure, public officials nationwide began putting together wish lists that went heavy on roads, bridges and buildings. Northeast Florida was no different.

But infrastructure money is something critics of the package say was mostly left out.

Much of the $1.3 billion regional request comes from Jacksonville, where Mayor John Peyton has identified more than $700 million in projects.

Peyton had traveled to Washington several times to drum up support for the city. In January, city lobbyist Patton Boggs arranged a brief meeting with Obama for the mayor.

But late last week, as the legislation came closer to a final plan, Peyton wasn't optimistic.

"In reality," he said, "we don't expect to see any of it."

full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-02-15/story/how_much_will_we_really_get

[Charles Hunter]

Here's the list of local road projects approved by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization for stimulus dollars:

READY TO ROLL
Thirteen projects approved by the Transportation Planning Organization on Thursday. They are all “shovel ready” and could begin within 90-120 days after money is received:

CLAY COUNTY

►Operational improvements at Peoria Road from County Road 224 to Moody Road: $1.55 million

► Construct a dedicated right turn lane at Kingsley Avenue: $420,000

► Resurface Knight Boxx Road from Blanding Boulevard to County Road 220: $480,000

DUVAL COUNTY

► Resurface and modify the intersections at Alta Drive and New Berlin Road from Zoo Parkway to Florida 9A: $7.5 million

► Build drainage improvements, safety upgrades, signal system upgrades and resurface Ninth Street from Beach Boulevard to  Butler Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach: $5 million

► Add lanes and reconstruct Collins Road: $4.2 million

► Widen Fort Caroline Road from Caroline Vale Boulevard to Merrill Road: $7.4 million

NASSAU COUNTY

► Resurface Eight Street from Atlantic Avenue to the Port of Fernandina: $115,000

► Resurface Fourteenth Street from Pogy Place to Atlantic Avenue: $660,000

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

► Ramp improvements at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Florida 207: $2.2 million

► Signal system upgrade at County Road 210 and Race Track Road: $1.3 million

► Make sidewalk improvements in St. Johns County: $875,000

► Resurface West King Street/Florida 214 from County Road 13 to U.S. 1: $2.2 million

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-02-12/story/whats_on_the_local_stimulus_plan_road_work_list

How many of those get built depends on how much money actually comes to the area.  According to the article, those projects total around $34 Million.

[thelakelander]

I wonder how many jobs will these projects create?

[Charles Hunter]

From what I hear, the agencies and contractors have to document the number of jobs created.  Wonder if that will count the person who counts the people hired? 

[Jason]

I'm good at counting.