WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the Department of Transportation has jumpstarted more than 10,000 transportation projects across America.  Some of the projects include a $71.2 million project to construct a new four-lane highway to relieve traffic congestion in Jacksonville, Fla. There is also a $25.5 million project to reconstruct approximately 5 miles of US 150 through Rockcastle County in Kentucky.

The Vice President indicated that “these projects are not only providing new opportunities for hard-hit workers and businesses during tough economic times, but helping lay a strong foundation to support our 21st century economy.”

To date, the U.S. Department of Transportation has made $48.1 billion available for highway, road, transit, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $30.6 billion has been obligated to fund 10,041 approved projects in 53 U.S. States and Territories, with 6,547 transportation projects underway.