Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Federal Stimulus

Less Than One Percent of Transpo Stimulus Money Paid Out So Far

The New York Times reports this morning that the Obama administration's $787 billion economic stimulus package has hit a few snags:

Some states and cities are beginning to complain that the money has yetto reach them. Others have been slow to get their paperwork toWashington; Virginia has yet to send the Transportation Department itslist of road projects.

The article credits the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) for allocating $10.5 billion -- nearly one-quarter of its $48 billion slice of the stimulus pie -- but only about $34 million of that, or 0.07 percent, has been paid out so far. Two-thirds of the $34 million came in the form of a grant to Amtrak.

Those numbers stand in contrast to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's claim yesterday in a speech to the National Retail Federation that "nearly all"
of his department's stimulus money has been disbursed.

The Times' evaluation comes a bit early in the game, given that the stimulus bill became law less than three months ago. Most economists have pointed to 18 months as the window in which the money should be spent in order to maximize its economic impact; even using that far-off marker, however, the current rate of stimulus spending is falling short.

Nevertheless, the administration is preparing to tout its progress on spending the money. Vice President Joe Biden will submit a quarterly report to the president today that credits the economic recovery effort with saving or creating 150,000 jobs.

Though that may not yet be the case, the DOT reports that more than 2,000 transit projects have been identified for funding. And the $8 billion set aside for transit, while far less than what was truly needed, is starting to be spent on projects in cities such as Seattle, Denver, and Phoenix.

You can view the AP's interactive map of local transportation projects receiving stimulus cash right here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

OPINION: Here’s How to Bring Real Bus Rapid Transit to Flatbush Avenue

It is worth a little extra time and money to get this right.

September 17, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Stop Them Before They Kill Edition

Another day, another driver who should never have been on the road slamming into something. Plus other news.

September 17, 2025

‘Good Trade-Off’: Rat-Hating Mayor Adams Puts Trash Cans Over Parking As Bins Come to Brooklyn

A few parking spots are worth the "sacrifice" of cleaner streets, Adams said announcing plans to bring curbside trash bins to Brooklyn.

September 16, 2025

DOT Warns City Council Against Letting Taxi Drivers Park in Loading Zones

A Council bill to let for-hire vehicle drivers park in delivery zones will cause more double parking and congestion, city officials warned.

September 16, 2025

MTA Employees’ Personal Cars Create Dirty, Hazardous Environment In East New York

MTA employees completely disrespect residents of the neighborhood with cars that they never move.

September 16, 2025
See all posts