Cash for Arizona

Federal cash to widen I-10, I-17
State decides how $350 mil for highways will be spent

by Ronald J. Hansen - Mar. 4, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Congested stretches of four highways in Maricopa County will get an extra lane, using money from President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus package.
Adding lanes to Interstates 10 and 17 are at the top of the county's list of priority projects unanimously approved Tuesday by the State Transportation Board. The county's $129 million spending plan primarily targets existing roads in the West Valley.
Some officials in the county were disappointed that they didn't get more than 37 percent of the state's $350 million share of the highway-stimulus dollars. Officials in rural Arizona were thrilled with the $175 million that will be divided among 13 counties. Pima County will get $45 million, or 13 percent of the funds. The money was allocated according to the state's decades-old funding formula, though Maricopa County officials had urged the state to use a different approach more reflective of the economic downturn.