Money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will be used to replace or repair three bridges in Pittsylvania County, according to GoDanRiver.com.

These are necessary safety improvements to keep these bridges open. Many rural areas in the Commonwealth have struggled with getting funding to repair old bridges, so this is very good news for all Pittsylvania residents.The contracts will also provide some new jobs and economic development in the area.

"Three bridges in Pittsylvania County are among 119 structurally-deficient bridges to be replaced or repaired with money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Three parts of the U.S. 29 bypass in Pittsylvania County will be repaired or replaced — U.S. 29 Business, Va. 685 and Davis Road.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced the funding with contracts totaling $50.7 million. The money is part of $694.5 million in highway funding to the commonwealth from the ARRA.

'…These bridge replacements and repairs will address a significant safety issue in our transportation network and put Virginians back to work,' Kaine said in a statement Thursday. 'While Virginia is consistently named one of the best states for business, we must maintain our infrastructure to stay economi-cally competitive and keep our citizens safe.'

The contracts were awarded by the Commonwealth Transportation Board at its October meeting.

Virginia has focused its ARRA transportation funding on strategic investments that will create jobs, address congestion and infrastructure needs, and enhance economic development and intermodal solutions."

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