The Colorado Department of Transportation has awarded five contracts for $14 million of work. It’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The state is expected to get $400 million for road projects and another $100 million for transit.

New Design Construction in Adams County won a competitive bid to resurface a 3-mile stretch of Interstate 70 between Wadsworth and Kipling.

Rick Suer said the project will allow the company to rehire about 20 workers as well as subcontractors.

“You do some high fives around the office, and it’s exciting because you know you are going to have some work coming up,” Suer said.

So far, taxpayers are getting a break. The first round of bids came in 12percent below state projects.

“Our contractors are very, very hungry,” said Stacey Stegman of the Colorado Department of Transportation. “They haven't had near the work we have had in year's past, and so we are getting more bidders on projects they are coming in under budget.”

Cost could go up as the demand for crews and materials increase, but backers of stimulus spending said it’s worth it, because those workers spend much of what they earn.

“They go out and buy a new car or purchase a new home,” said Suer.