Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Victoria Advocate | Audit finds hundreds of millions unspent at Va DOT

Victoria Advocate | Audit finds hundreds of millions unspent at Va DOT: "RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - An inattentive Virginia transportation bureaucracy left nearly $500 million unspent last year as interstate rest stops were shuttered and maintenance projects deferred by emergency budget cuts, a private audit to be released Thursday shows.

The four-month review of the Virginia Department of Transportation's finances shows that the recouped cash combined with steps to redirect other state funds will add $614 million to backlogged road maintenance and construction projects through June 2011.

And by 2016, the newfound cash, savings and efficiencies available for the state's six-year road building and maintenance master plan will total nearly $1.5 billion, Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton told The Associated Press.

Gov. Bob McDonnell, who ordered the audit in April, planned to release the findings and remedial steps the administration will take at a Thursday afternoon news conference. The Republican unsuccessfully called for a private VDOT audit two years ago, while still attorney general, and pledged one while campaigning for governor in 2009."

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