CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Gov. Bev Perdue announced Wednesday that 31 contracts totaling $73 million have been awarded for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina.

Eleven of the projects are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"All of these projects will help generate new jobs and economic development for North Carolina, as well as improve travel throughout our state," Perdue said.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and according to the construction industry, every dollar invested in transportation generates $6 in economic impact.

Work on all contracts will start in July.

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

• $4.8 million awarded to Rea Contracting LLC of Charlotte for resurfacing, shoulder construction and shoulder reconstruction of 20.3 miles of Mecklenburg County roads, including;

- 0.4 miles of eastbound N.C. 24/27 from west of Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road (State Route 5223);
-1.4 miles of N.C. 49 between the I-77 bridge and Tyvola Road;
-0.5 miles of N.C. 29/49 between N.C. 29 (North Tryon Road) and Graham Street (S.R. 2691), and 1.4 miles of N.C. 29/49 southbound between Old Concord Road (S.R. 2939) and Sugar Creek Road (S.R. 2480);
-1.2 miles of N.C. 51 from Independence Boulevard (U.S. 74) to Reid Harkey Road, and 1 mile of N.C. 51 northbound from Sam Newell Road (S.R. 3474) to Independence Boulevard (U.S. 74);
-2 miles of N.C. 24 from N.C. 24/27 to the railroad bridge;
-0.9 miles of N.C. 27 (Freedom Drive) from east of Wingate Drive to Toddville Road; and
-sections of Gilead Road (S.R. 2136), Monroe Road (S.R. 1009), Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road (S.R. 5223),  Valleydale Road (S.R. 1785), Bellhaven Boulevard (S.R. 2373) and Asbury Chapel Road (S.R. 2442).

The project can start as early as July 27, with completion by Nov 15.

IREDELL COUNTY

• A $3.5 million contract awarded to Carl Rose and Sons Inc. of Elkin to mill and resurface 8.1 miles of Interstate 77. Work is scheduled to start July 27, with project completion by June 1, 2010. The two sections include: from mile marker 56 north of Statesville to mile marker 57.8; and from mile marker 61.7 to mile marker 68.7 near Olin.

• A $3.4 million contract awarded to Maymead Inc. of Mountain City, Tenn. to mill and resurface 5.6 miles of Interstate 40 from mile marker 146 to Exit 151 (U.S. 21) in Statesville. Work is scheduled to start July 27, with project completion by June 1, 2010. Work will be done only at night between exits 148 to 151 because of daily traffic volumes in the area.

CATAWBA COUNTY

• A $2.5 million contract awarded to J.T. Russell and Sons Inc. of Albemarle for milling and resurfacing 18 miles of various sections of primary and secondary roads. Work is scheduled to start as early as July 27, with completion by Dec. 1. The sections include:

-7.5 miles of N.C. 16 from the Lincoln County line to Balls Creek Road (State Road 1810);
-Two miles of N.C. 10 in Newton from U.S. 321 Business to N.C. 16;
-0.6 miles of N.C. 16 from the bridge at the Alexander County line over the Catawba River to Church Road (S.R. 1453); and
-7.9 miles of nine secondary roads throughout the county.