Top federal officials buckle down on programs, attempt to generate more funding

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members heard from the Federal Highway Administration, the General Accounting Office and the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General looking for ways to eliminate waste and fraud in federal transportation programs and generate additional funding sources.

An Inspector General's report addressed at the hearing offered ways to "make the most of federal dollars used in state transportation projects." It recommended:

* Directing funds no longer needed for inactive projects to new initiatives. The IG identified $238 million that states could redeploy to projects in need of funding;

* Supporting state fraud deterrence and detection efforts by allowing them to share in recoveries from fraud investigations;

* Placing sanctions on contractors convicted of fraud;

* More aggressive pursuit of fuel-tax evaders;

* Improving financial management on projects costing $100 million or more; and

* Strengthening oversight by FHWA and the Federal Transit Authority by requiring better project management at the state and local level.