{"id":3633,"date":"2011-12-01T14:05:35","date_gmt":"2011-12-01T19:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/new-hampshire\/?p=3633"},"modified":"2012-02-13T15:42:48","modified_gmt":"2012-02-13T20:42:48","slug":"q-and-a-states-new-transportation-commissioner-battles-budget-cuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/new-hampshire\/2011\/12\/01\/q-and-a-states-new-transportation-commissioner-battles-budget-cuts\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&A: State’s New Transportation Commissioner Battles Budget Cuts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NH DOT \/ NH DOT<\/p>

DOT Commissioner Chris Clement surveying storm damage<\/p><\/div>\n

I recently spoke with newly confirmed commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, Christopher Clement, about the current budget constraints at the DOT<\/a> and also his plan on how to finish the $800 million expansion of Interstate 93 <\/a>without federal dollars. The project, which began in 2007, is an expansion of I-93 from a four-lane highway to an eight-lane highway. Supporters say the expansion will make it easier for commuters to go in and out of Massachusetts, as well as bring needed tourism dollars into New Hampshire’s North Country<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: <\/span>What are some are greatest challenges currently with funding at the DOT?<\/p>\n

A: <\/span>In the last biennium, we had about $124 million cut from our $568 million budget. There was about $90 million cut from a registration surcharge that went away. That\u2019s about $45 million less per year. We at the Department of Transportation eliminated 68 positions or about 19 percent of our workforce. We\u2019re working on our 10-year transportation plan. Our 10-year plan <\/a>is predicated the majority on federal funding.\u00a0 We heard when I first came on board that all states had to plan on a 35 percent cut from the feds.\u00a0 We cut that $140 million plan down to $100 million plan. That made our 10-year plan much more thin than in years past. Those projects that don\u2019t meet the $100 million on the 10-year plan go on a deferred list.<\/p>\n

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Q: <\/span>When might the DOT get to those delayed projects?<\/p>\n

A: <\/span>If the U.S. DOT and Congress funds us and bring us back to $140 million, those projects will go back in the queue in order.<\/p>\n

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