The US is moving forward with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) highway funds under the country’s federal stimulus package, according to a monthly report by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.

Data provided by the Federal Highway Administration showed that since the bill came in in February 2009, 44 US states were allotted more than $5.5bn for highway improvements – about 59% of the total $9.33bn.

Eight states have already started paying contractors for construction work, whereas seven other states have not obligated any ARRA funds as of 7 April 2009.

For transit projects, a total of $13.2m of ARRA highway funds has been transferred to the Federal Transit Administration by two states.