State panel hears 2 sides of DOT reform
Source: Gregory B. Hladky, New Haven Register (CT), 08/10/2007
A state commission heard sharply contrasting testimony Thursday of how corruption investigations and contracting reforms have either damaged or helped worker performance at the state transportation agency. Donald Shubert, executive secretary of the Connecticut Road Builders Association, claimed there now is a "culture of fear" in the state Department of Transportation that is delaying decisions on highway projects and costing taxpayers "a tremendous amount of money."
……. According to Doody, DOT engineers are more than capable of designing bridges of 20 feet or less and that "We are $25 per hour cheaper" than hiring outside consultants for that design work.
…….. Meanwhile, Rell announced the creation of a new state Web site to get citizens’ ideas on how to reorganize the DOT.