WEST WARWICK — West Warwick has received roughly $562,000 in a federal stimulus allotment earmarked for repairs and improvements at intersections along federally designated roadways, town officials said Wednesday.

The Town Council voted on Tuesday to divide the money equally with $112,000 going to each of the five districts that each council member represents. July 1 is the deadline for submitting preliminary plans to the state Department of Transportation, said West Warwick Public Works Director Paul Thomas. The state DOT will review the plans along with input from the corresponding federal agency.

Thomas said the town received a map of which roads and streets are federally designated. These are roads that would be used during a national emergency, a classification that dates to the World War II era, Thomas said.

He added that the money is not for major construction or projects already in the works.

“We are not going to be just handed the money. It goes through a long process of federal review, plans and specifications,” Thomas said. “They want bids and historical studies. It takes a while. We have to go through this accounting phase and design phase first.”

While the majority of the council is still deciding where it will use the money, Councilman Peter F. Calci is set on using his district’s share to complete a new turn lane at East Greenwich Avenue and Route 2. Calci said a proper lane is needed, as motorists have created their own lane by driving over the curbing and grass.

Other places the money may be used include Church Street, to improve drainage, and the New London Avenue and Earl Street intersection to improve traffic patterns, Thomas said.

The town has until September 2010 to use the money.

lsparks@projo.com