First, we received an updated copy of the national database of stimulus road and bridge projects as of Sept. 25. Separately, we obtained data that states filed to the federal government as part of the stimulus legislation's reporting requirements. These data list which contractors had been awarded particular projects. We were able to trace more than 90 percent of the funds to individual counties. In a few other cases, projects are statewide and cannot be narrowed to county or serve multiple counties. We’ve indicated those cases in the data.

Wherever possible, we matched DOT projects to state recovery filings. They did not match in every instance. The DOT projects, which total $19 billion, include hundreds of projects not yet associated with a contractor. The contractors' data totals about $13 billion in obligated funds. In a few cases, state contractors did not match a DOT project. Some projects also have multiple contractors. When there is no matching contractor information for a project, searches and lists will return a blank.

We're trying to make this information as accurate as possible, so if you see something that needs to be corrected, please let us know.

By Jennifer LaFleur, Michael Grabell, Christopher Flavelle, Amanda Michel, and Dan Nguyen