11/20/2009 10:19:00 PM Expect future ADOT cuts beyond this budget year
The Daily Courier
Future Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) cuts are likely as the state tries to trim another $2 billion from its budget year that ends June 30.
Gov. Jan Brewer asked every department to provide a general plan for another 15 percent worth of cuts.
ADOT hasn't calculated specific actions down to the local level if it has to implement another 15 percent worth of cuts.
ADOT's plan says it will have to cut another $60 million to cut 15 percent, which would create a total of 35 percent in budget cuts compared to this past year.
That $60 million cut would force ADOT to lay off 50-60 percent of its workforce of 2,000-2,400 employees because the year is half over, according to the plan.
It also would have to close all but a few MVD field offices, close all rest areas, suspend highway maintenance beyond emergencies and repairs, and close more roads because of snow, the plan stated.
And it might even have to shut down its highly acclaimed Arizona Highways Magazine.
"This is a perfect storm," ADOT Director John Halikowski said in a news release. "Our revenues are down, we are suffering from the use of state transportation funds for other purposes, and the needs of the state are not decreasing.
"Continued reliance on transportation funds to balance the budget will only harm the future of Arizona's infrastructure system, which is vital component in resuscitating and growing our state's economy."
