Triangle Business Journal

March 8, 2007

Audit: DOT fails to meet quality testing standards

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is unable to produce documentation showing that the materials it uses to build highways have been adequately tested, according to a financial audit conducted by State Auditor Les Merritt's office.

The report, released Thursday afternoon by the state auditor's office, recommended that the DOT enhance internal controls and monitor compliance with state regulations to ensure that testing information is accurately documented and that the required number of tests is conducted.

The auditor's findings come on the heels of a report detailing errors that contributed to a concrete failure on Interstate 40 in Durham that cost millions to repair. State Highway Administrator Len Sanderson resigned in November following the report.

DOT officials took no exception to the report's finding that it performed the required Roadway Quality Assurance tests on all but two of the 15 contracts reviewed.

The audit also alleged that DOT failed to record nearly $24 million in liabilities in fiscal 2005-2006. DOT officials said the majority of the liabilities represent division purchase orders and were not identified in a year-end analysis.

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