DURHAM - At a meeting on the campus of the University of New Hampshire, Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council today approved more than $20 million in transportation contracts, in addition to other items funded through the federal stimulus program.

“The national recession continues to negatively impact our state and our families. I am pleased we have been able to move quickly to get these contracts and important federal dollars out the door quickly so that we can retain and create jobs, and help stimulate our economy,” Gov. Lynch said.

“Today we approved major contracts for road repair and construction, loans to upgrade critical wastewater systems, and grants to help law enforcement keep us safe - all of which would not have been possible without stimulus funds,” Gov. Lynch said.

The Governor and Council approved a $4.9 million contract for the ongoing Manchester Airport Access construction project. This is the sixth of eight contracts for the access road project. Stimulus funds have allowed the state to expedite construction of the access road.

Also approved was a $10.6 million contract for road repaving and bridge rehabilitation for a 12-mile stretch of Interstate-93 in Woodstock and Lincoln, and a $4.8 million contract for road and bridge reconstruction in Portsmouth along Interstate-95.

The Governor and Council also accepted more than $3 million in criminal justice grants. These funds are made available through three federal programs: the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, the Victims of Crime Act program, and the Violence Against Women Act program.

These grants will help provide support for criminal justice and victim service related programs throughout the state.

For example, more than $1 million in funding from the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program will be used to support the formation of a statewide ‘Cold Case Unit’ within the Department of Safety.

The Governor and Council also approved $22 million in loans for municipal wastewater system upgrades for the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program and the towns of Goffstown, Unity, Nashua, Goffstown, Peterborough and Hooksett. About $11 million is funded with federal stimulus dollars.