USDOT's inspector general to audit FTA oversight of several transit projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (IG) will soon begin an audit of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) oversight of major transportation infrastructure projects in the western United States.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) reported in its web journal that the IG's office announced plans for the audit last week in prepared testimony for a House Oversight and Government Reform panel hearing in New York City.

The FTA audit will follow audits the IG launched in March at the Federal Highway Administration for state-managed road and bridge programs.

According to the article, projects that the IG's office is considering for review include the Regional Transportation District's East and Gold Line Enterprise in Denver, the Honolulu Rail Transit line, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Westside Subway Extension, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority's University Link Light Rail Extension in Seattle and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's Central Subway projects.

Meanwhile, the IG's office announced in an audit report late last week that the FTA has not fully implemented key internal controls for its oversight of Hurricane Sandy funds and future emergency relief efforts. The office made five recommendations to the FTA, which concurred with four and partially concurred with one.