On February 17, 2009 President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to get our economy moving again. This legislation provides $787 billion package to boost the American Economy through federal spending on such programs as education, energy, health care, housing, and transportation.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. With much at stake, the Act provides for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability so that you will be able to know how, when, and where your tax dollars are being spent.

ARRA delivers substantial support for infrastructure projects. At the national level, this includes $48.1 billion in funding for transportation capital projects ($8.4 billion for mass transit, $27.5 billion for highways and bridges, $8 billion for high speed rail, $1.3 billion for Amtrak; $1.5 billion for discretionary surface transportation projects).

Local ARRA Funds Summary

The Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has received $26.2 million and $2.46 million of ARRA funds from Tennessee and Mississippi respectively. Using the guidelines provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Memphis MPO along with the local jurisdictions has compiled a list of eligible projects that can be funded with the ARRA funds. The list primarily includes projects such as repaving, guardrail, bicycle and pedestrian, and signalization. On March 26, 2009 the Transportation Policy Board (TPB) of the Memphis MPO approved the list of projects for the ARRA funds.

Memphis MPO ARRA Project List March, 26, 2009

Memphis MPO ARRA Projects Map by Congressional Districts March, 26, 2009