MADISON, Wis. -- Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz welcomed the first construction project funded by the federal stimulus money in the city on Monday

Cieslewicz and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin helped break ground on a bike and pedestrian bridge that will go over Aberg Avenue. The $2.7 million project will create an estimated three dozen jobs.

The mayor said he thinks this first project is very fitting for Madison.

"I think it's appropriate that it's a biking and pedestrian project. This is literally one of the first projects we had shovel-ready, and ready to go because we had the plans all worked out. And I think it speaks to how much we value the balance of transportation system here in the city," Cieslewicz said.

The city of Madison also reporting it will receive many other grants through the federal recovery act, including money for transit, homeless assistance and energy conservation.