Owens asks feds for I-98 answers

Congressman William L. Owens has asked Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez whether the state Department of Transportation can use a $6.3 million 2005 earmark for design improvements on Route 11 rather than for a proposed interstate.

“This has caused significant concern among supporters (of which I am one) of the I-98 ‘rooftop highway’ project, who believe those funds are being inappropriately repurposed away from their original intent,” Mr. Owens wrote in his letter to Mr. Mendez, dated Wednesday.

Mr. Owens asked whether the DOT’s decision was legal, whether an act of Congress was necessary, if the DOT contacted its federal counterpart for guidance and if any was given, and for the state’s authority in interpreting federal project funding.