On Friday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 132 grants totaling $1.3 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds will go to improve state and local transit systems in the U.S. while supporting the creation of jobs and providing much needed transportation options for millions.

"The Recovery Act was put in place quickly to rescue the economy from the worst recession since the Great Depression and rebuild it for a stronger future," said Secretary LaHood. "Rebuilding the nation's infrastructure is a key part of that prescription for strength.  It creates jobs today and builds a better, more sustainable economy moving forward."

The majority of the grants awarded will be used to purchase new vehicles, increase safety and security initiatives, construct, rehabilitate or maintain the various transit systems.

Since President Obama signed ARRA into law on Feb. 17, 2009, grants totaling more than $5.7 billion have been made available for transit improvements throughout the nation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has made $48.1 billion available for highway, road, transit, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $25 billion already has been obligated to fund more than 7,701 approved projects in 55 U.S. States and Territories. Specific grant information can be found on FTA's ARRA Grants Digest.