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Yesterday, Vice President Joe Biden announced that 10,000 transportation projects are under way in all 50 states and the District of Columbia because of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding.

Since it was enacted in February 2009, ARRA has provided funding for the construction or renovation of more than 850 transit facilities, and the purchase of about 12,000 rail vehicles, buses and vans. In addition, more than $620 million has been allocated for preventive maintenance work.

“These 10,000 projects are strengthening our economy and creating jobs right now, and there are more projects still to come this spring,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a prepared statement.

Among five major projects funded by ARRA — four of which involve highway infrastructure — Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Orange Line has received a total of  $61.2 million. The agency plans to build a 14-mile line that eventually will link downtown Dallas and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation met a deadline to commit 100 percent of ARRA’s highway and transit formula dollars for specific projects.