April 8, 2003
ROMNEY CALLS FOR TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, MASS HIGHWAY MERGER
Eliminates duplication; gives Governor personal responsibility for Big Dig
Fulfilling a pledge made during the campaign, Governor Mitt Romney today filed legislation to merge the operations of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority with the Massachusetts Highway Department, eliminating duplication and taking personal responsibility for the completion of the Big Dig.
Romney said the move will reap a $190 million one-time windfall and continue to generate at least $23 million each year through efficiencies.
“Billions of taxpayer dollars were invested into the Central Artery project, yet no direct oversight of this project by state government exists. Political accountability and fiscal responsibility are the twin principles behind these sorely needed reforms,” said Romney
“With this merger, we will once and for all put an end to the blame shifting that occurred during the financial mismanagement of the Big Dig, and achieve sustainable savings by managing our roadways more efficiently”, Romney said.
Romney’s plan will increase accountability over the project, adding four new members to the Turnpike Authority Board for a total membership of nine. The Secretaries of Administration and Finance and Transportation will serve as ex-officio members with the remaining two members to be appointed by the Governor. Newly appointed Board members will serve for an eight-year term and can be removed by the Governor at any time.
At least one member of the Board will be from a community that abuts the Turnpike and falls between the Weston Toll Plaza and Interstate 495.
Romney’s legislation also allows the state to assure the obligations of Turnpike bonds, generating $190 million for the state’s General Fund. Under the plan, the Turnpike will enter into agreements with the Highway Department to operate and maintain the Turnpike roads, creating an estimated savings of $23 million annually through improved efficiencies and sharing of maintenance and administrative resources.
“We presently have two highway departments – one that maintains one road and another that maintains the rest of them. The savings that can be generated by improved efficiencies are simply too big to ignore,” said Transportation Secretary Daniel A. Grabauskas. “Even if we did not face a fiscal crisis, we still owe it to the taxpayers eliminate redundancies and waste.”
Grabauskas added that the Turnpike Authority spends an estimated $211,000 per lane mile to maintain its roadway while the Highway Department spends $76,000 for the same services.
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