The Department of Legislative Services presented an overview analysis of the Department of Transportation, and raised questions regarding the anticipated costs of retrofits facing state transportation infrastructure. From the analysis:
The Cost of Cleaning Up the Bay for Transportation: The State, other watershed states, and the District of Columbia, have completed a Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) for meeting certain restoration goals for the Chesapeake Bay. MDOT will play a role in the State’s effort by funding projects to mitigate the impact of stormwater runoff through retrofits. It is estimated that it will cost MDOT approximately $1.5 billion by 2017 to comply with the WIP. Currently, the department’s Consolidated Transportation Program includes $90 million for this effort. DLS recommends that the department discuss how it will meet the financial demands required under the WIP and how it might impact other capital priorities. In addition, the department should discuss how its efforts will be managed or coordinated with BayStat. DLS also recommends that committee narrative be adopted that would require the department to report to the committees how it will identify the funding for the WIP and any potential impact on other capital projects.
The Department of Transportation issued a series of written responses to the questions raised within the analysis – read the relevant segment here.
Click here for the full DLS overview analysis on the Department of Transportation
