Transportation Engineers Facing Declining Funds

"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."