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DOT Criticized For Not Seeking More Mass Transit Funding

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By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2009

A consumer watchdog group is blasting transportation officials for failing to push for federal stimulus funds to fix bridges and expand mass transit.

The Department of Transportation has produced a $7 billion wish list of projects it wants funded to help stimulate the economy.

The Florida Public Interest Research Group issued a report Monday criticizing the DOT's request as shortsighted.

Most of the money would go to build new highways and expand old ones, with only 10 percent going to bridge repairs and 1 percent to mass transit, said Brad Ashwell, lead advocate for Florida PIRG.

Transportation leaders missed an opportunity to jump-start mass transit in Florida and to repair existing roads and bridges, he said.

"The problem is our transportation leaders do not have vision," said Ashwell.

The department defended the request. DOT spokesman Dick Kane said Congress requested the stimulus funds be tied not to mass transit but highway and bridge projects that can start within 90 to 120 days.

"The whole idea of the stimulus package was to have projects ready to go," he said.

"We already have a state law for bridges," Kane said. "If a bridge is deficient it's programmed to be repaired within 5 years."

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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