Gov. David Paterson was on Long Island Monday announcing a series of infrastructure projects that are part of the federal stimulus program to rebuild local economies.

In total, Long Island will get $154 million in stimulus money to rebuild the infrastructure.

?We will try to get these shovel-ready projects out the door, to get people back to work as [quickly] as possible,? Paterson says. ?That is the purpose of the stimulus program and that's what we're trying to do.?

Paterson says the funding will create nearly 4,000 jobs on Long Island. Marc Herbst, from the Long Island Contractors Association, says Long Island construction workers are eager and excited to get back to work.

?This is quite a bit of money that is coming in right now,? Jim Castellane, of the Building and Construction Trade Council of Long Island, says. ?It?s only the beginning. We still need more help like they said. It?s not the cure all but I'm very happy that the governor came through and Long Island is getting its due share.?

Some of the projects include repairs to the Robert Moses Causeway bridge and construction on Route 112 and Route 110.