State Roads Could Lose Millions Under Bush's Budget
$22 Million Could Be Cut From T-REX Funding
POSTED: 11:35 a.m. MST February 5, 2002
UPDATED: 3:38 p.m. MST February 5, 2002
DENVER -- President Bush's new budget could mean a loss in federal money for roads in Colorado.
The transportation department could lose $87 million as money for highway construction gets shifted to the war on terrorism.
The spending plan released Monday includes a $48 billion
increase in defense spending -- the largest increase in two decades.
Bush's plan would cut $22 million dollars earmarked for
T-REX, the massive Interstate 25 and light rail project in the
southeastern metro area.
State transportation department spokeswoman Stacey Stegman said
the cuts would have a significant impact across the state but
they're going to wait and see what happens.
Stegman told 7NEWS that T-REX funds aren't in danger since the state was guaranteed money by the Federal Transit Administration for the duration of the project.
What is a concern to state transportation officials are the other projects that might not get funding and that could mean reduced maintenance, bridges repairs or replacement and paving operations.
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
