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Federal funding is continuing to create new Colorado construction jobs and support existing positions.

Despite the still-struggling economy, this summer has remained a peak time for infrastructure projects throughout Colorado, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

A total of 112 highway projects will be under construction this summer, which is twice as many as last year; while there will be 60 clean water and drinking water improvement projects, compared to zero during 2009; as well as weatherization upgrades to more than 5,000 low-income homes.

"This Summer of Recovery is bringing jobs, economic impact and long-term benefits to communities across Colorado," Gov. Bill Ritter said. "The Recovery Act is helping more than 3 million Coloradans through safety net benefits and programs that are creating or saving thousands of jobs while laying the foundation for a brighter future for our state."

Some of the ARRA projects underway this summer in Colorado include:

• El Paso County - Jobs are being created through a project that will retrofit 200 school buses in order to reduce harmful diesel emissions.
• Siebert - Funding is being provided for a drinking water improvement project that would not have been possible otherwise.
• Denver - Jalisco International is working on a $35 million project to widen I-25 and replace a dilapidated bridge, which will in turn employ 500 people throughout the project.
• Denver - Organizations such as the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless are using funding to construct more affordable housing units for low-income individuals and the homeless.
• Clifton - Funding is being used to finish cleaning up a former underground petroleum fuel storage site that presents a health threat to the local community.

Colorado expects to receive at least $7.1 billion in federal stimulus funding throughout the lifecycle of the ARRA.

Vice President Joe Biden recently noted that 10,000 highway projects will be under construction throughout the nation this summer, as well as 3,000 clean water and drinking water improvement projects.

Labels: Colorado construction jobs