AP Wire

Construction money steered to roads, building repairs

by Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press

Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration is stalling hundreds of millions in construction projects planned for state financing to instead steer more money to state building and university repairs and roadwork.

The Bond Commission approved the plans Thursday, though some lawmakers have expressed concern about specific projects that are being delayed.

Nearly $267 million in projects will be bumped in line, while $68 million in new projects will advance ahead of them. The new projects include more than $15 million for repairs to state buildings, $14 million for maintenance of public college campus facilities and $36 million for the statewide highway program.

Mark Moses, director of Edwards' Office of Facility Planning and Control, says the reshuffling accounts for the state's ongoing financial problems and spends money on the governor's construction priorities.