Transportation Engineers Facing Declining Funds

Palm Beach and Broward Counties in Florida are looking at a future of dwindling resources for road-building, and projecting the need for alternative transportation.

1 minute read

July 14, 2008, 11:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


"Money to build roads is dwindling.

In November, Palm Beach County's engineering department predicted it would have $91.4 million to widen roads and build new ones this year. Now it's projecting $87.3 million. By 2012, that amount will be cut in half, shrinking to $42.4 million.

That means road projects will be delayed or roads won't be built at all.

"We used to project increases. Now we project declines," said Omelio Fernandez, county director of roadway production. "In future years, it's going to be worse."

Broward County also expects declines in revenue for road improvements. Gas tax revenues, which fund most Broward road projects, are down 4 percent to 6 percent from last year."

Sunday, July 13, 2008 in South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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