Bob Duff

Transportation Committee Leadership Assured Federal Highway Funding is Secured

DOT Commissioner responds that state is at “no risk” of losing funds

The Senate co-chair and vice chair of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee said today that they’ve been assured by the top official at the state Department of Transportation (DOT) that the state stands no risk of losing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds despite concerns raised about unallocated balances.

Early this month, state Senators Donald DeFronzo (D-New Britain) and Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) wrote to DOT Commissioner Jeffery Parker with questions about the potential need to obligate $300 million in FHWA funds allocated for highway and bridge projects. At issue was an apparent decision to reserve $300 million for use on major DOT projects before the end of the fiscal year, instead of utilizing the dollars in a timely manner at the height of the 2010 construction season as they were intended—a policy decision that could risk future use of federal funds.

“If our understanding is correct, is it customary for DOT to reserve such large sums for major projects?” the senators wrote on August 2. “We are asking you to clarify the current status of this $300 million . . . What are the chances Connecticut could lose this $300 million?”

In response dated August 9, Commissioner Parker wrote that “there is no risk that Connecticut will lose any of the current FWHA program balances. The Department has recently submitted a plan to FHWA which demonstrates the Department’s ability to fully utilize all remaining funds, plus an additional $34.9 million, if the obligation authority is made available at year-end.”

“We had been made aware of the potential for these highway funds to be forfeit, something that we as a state can’t afford to see happen right now,” Senator DeFronzo said. “We need to be maximizing the amount of federal support we as a state can receive and given the Transportation Committee’s oversight role, we felt it important that the committee have an accounting on this matter. I appreciate Commissioner Parker’s response and assurance that this funding is secure and understand how uncertainty at the federal level translates to difficulties here at home.”

“The idea that we could lose federal funding just because, in essence, we couldn’t spend it fast enough was concerning,” said Senator Duff. “We know that our roads and bridges are in desperate need, that we have infrastructure around the state of Connecticut that has long outlived its original lifespan and that we need to use our resources wisely to prevent serious problems. I’m glad that Commissioner Parker is on top of this, and I will continue to monitor this issue to ensure that we’re not missing out on opportunities for federal assistance.”