The Arizona Republic is reporting that "shovel-ready" projects are starting to move forward. 

Jobs and congestion relief are on the way. And the timing couldn't be better.

Arizona's unemployment rate has risen to 7.4 percent, while the Legislature has slashed millions of dollars in freeway funding to balance the state budget.

"The transportation projects supported by economic-recovery funds will benefit every Arizonan," Gov. Jan Brewer said. "The creation of jobs is vital to our economy and so are stronger connections between communities and our neighboring states."

The state Transportation Board recently decided that 41 shovel-ready highway projects across Arizona can move forward with federal stimulus money, and of the five Maricopa County projects, four are in the West Valley and one is in the north Valley.