RALEIGH — Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has announced that 10 contracts totaling $69 million have been awarded for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law.

Included among the projects are several in Bertie and Hertford counties. They include:

Resurfacing 0.9 miles of N.C. 42 from U.S. 13 to the eastern city limits of Powelville in Bertie County; 8.2 miles of N.C. 461 from N.C. 561 to U.S. 13 in Winton; and nine sections of secondary roads totaling 14.42 miles in Bertie and Hertford counties.

A $2 million contract was awarded to Rose Brothers Paving Company Inc. of Ahoskie. Work can begin as early as Dec. 27 and be completed by June 1, 2011.

The bids received on all 10 projects advertised came in 13.6 percent, or about $10.9 million, below NCDOT estimates.

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

For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.