CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council today approved $36 million in transportation contracts funded by the stimulus package, which includes a $25.9 million contract for the widening of Interstate-93 in the area of Exit 3 in Windham.

The Governor and Council also accepted more than $39 million in special education and Title I education funding to help local New Hampshire school districts.

“We are continuing to move quickly here in New Hampshire to get contracts approved that are putting our people back to work, and helping local communities,” Gov. Lynch said. “The national recession continues to negatively impact our state and our families. I am pleased we are using these important federal dollars to retain and create jobs, and help stimulate our economy.”

The Governor and Council approved a $25.9 million contract for reconstruction of the Exit 3 interchange in Windham, which is part of the widening of I-93 from Salem to Manchester. The work will replace two red-listed bridges.

Three contracts to repave more than 118 miles of roads in Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford counties totaling more than $9 million, and a $1 million contract for repaving on Interstate-89 were also approved.

The Governor and Council also accepted $23.7 million in stimulus funds for special education, and $15.4 million in Title I, a program for disadvantaged students. The more than $39 million in stimulus funding will be sent to local school districts to help lessen the impact the national recession is having on local budgets.

Information regarding the federal stimulus package can be found on the homepage Governor’s Office of Economic Stimulus at www.nh.gov/recovery.