Last week Governor Sonny Perdue announced that he has certified a list of county transportation projects under the “1511 Certification” that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Included in the list of projects is the widening on U.S. Highway 1 from the Bacon County Line to the intersection of Georgia Highway 15 in Appling County. Also included in the list was bridge construction at Black Water and Sweet Water Creeks. The projected cost of the two projects in Appling is an estimated $47 million. The total amount for all projects listed under the 1511 Certification is $331,133,943.00.

“These projects will bring much needed repair and maintenance to roads, intersections and bridges,” said Governor Perdue. “The federal funds will strengthen our transportation network and help us to better serve Georgians.”

“This is a great announcement,” said Roy Herrington, First Congressional District Department of Transportation Board Member and local business owner. “I was worried that this project might be put on hold due to current economic conditions. The widening of U.S. 1 will help Appling’s ability to recruit new industry.”

For more information, visit the Georgia DOT’s stimulus website at www.dot.state.ga.us/gastimulus .

The list of the projects approved in August and September 2009 for Appling County are:

- State Route 4/U.S. Highway 1 at Black Water and Sweet Water Creeks south of Baxley - bridges - $1,947,202.00.

- Widening of State Route 4/U.S. Highway 1 from Bacon County Line to State Route 15 in Baxley, including three bridges - $44,985,452.00.