The Honorable, The Legislature:
In response to a complaint reported to the Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline established by
2007 Wisconsin Act 126, we have completed a limited-scope review of the role of construction engineers in the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) quality assurance process on state highway projects. Construction engineers, who include both DOT staff and private consultants, ensure that construction contractors build highways according to contractual requirements. In fiscal year (FY) 2007-08, construction engineering expenditures totaled an estimated $56.8 million, including $20.8 million in spending related to state staff and $36.0 million paid to private consultants.
Our analysis is focused on state highway projects built with concrete pavement. We reviewed in detail projects begun from FY 2006-07 through FY 2007-08. None of 20 projects we reviewed had any measurements that indicated unacceptable concrete pavement thickness. However, documentation for 11 of the 20 projects indicated that contractors measured the concrete pavement's thickness less frequently than contractually required. State staff served as the lead construction engineer on 7 of the 11 projects, while consultants served in that role on the remaining 4. It is possible the measurements were actually taken but not documented, but we cannot independently confirm this.
To help ensure state highway projects are appropriately constructed, DOT recently modified number of its quality assurance practices for contractors and construction engineers. However, we provide several additional recommendations to help ensure that highways are consistently constructed according to contractual requirements. This is particularly important because the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will provide Wisconsin with $529.1 million in federal transportation funds, much of which will be used for state highway projects.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by DOT in completing this review.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
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Relating to wine collectors and small winery cooperative wholesalers.
Submitted by Department of Revenue.
Report received from Agency, May 12, 2009.
Referred to committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue,
May 14, 2009
.
Relating to the identification, classification, and control of invasive species.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, May 11, 2009.
Referred to committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources, May 14, 2009
.
Relating to building contractors and affecting small business.
Submitted by Department of Commerce.
Report received from Agency, May 7, 2009.
Referred to committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail, May 14, 2009
.
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By Patrick E. Fuller, chief clerk.
Mr. President:
I am directed to inform you that the Assembly has concurred in:
Senate Bill 181
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Chief Clerk Marchant, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn until Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
11:16 A.M.
Adjourned.
