BATON ROUGE (AP) — A state audit finds the state Department of Transportation and Development failed to win federal approval for change orders on more than $1 million in projects, which could endanger future federal aid.
Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said Monday this is the fifth consecutive year auditors have reported weaknesses in DOTD's controls over change order approvals.
The problem focused on 14 of 184 project change orders — 8 percent — that required approval of the Federal Highway Administration.
The review said five of the orders were incorrectly listed as not requiring federal approval.
The Advocate’s Will Sentell reports federal dollars account for 72 percent of Louisiana's highway program, up from 58 percent in 2010.
In a written response, DOTD Secretary Sherri LeBas agreed with the report.
