DOT to use stimulus funds to resurface Highway 64

From the NC Department of Transportation

Published: May 29, 2009

The N.C. Department of Transportation is using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to make the drive on U.S. 64 between Statesville and Taylorsville smoother for motorists.

Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has awarded a $2.3 million contract to Maymead Inc. of Mountain City, Tenn., to resurface 18 miles of U.S. Highway 64 from just west of Statesville in Iredell County to Taylorsville in Alexander County. Work is scheduled to begin as early as June 29, with final completion scheduled by Oct. 16.

"This project will help create and sustain jobs and provide needed economic development," said Gov. Bev Perdue.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and construction industry analysis shows every dollar invested in transportation trickles down into the economy six times.

"Without recovery funds, we would have had to delay resurfacing this highway," said Mike Holder, the NCDOT division engineer responsible for the project. "Pavement preservation is a key component of the department's efforts to extend the lifespan of our existing infrastructure."