I received a tip regarding the latest phase of the Saddle Road improvement project on Monday. The DAR funding evidently won’t be available until 2015. So, the HDOT is lending the CFLHD 25 million dollars as a stop gap measure. The HDOT is slated to release the funding by next month, according to my source.
I e-mailed the HDOT and CFLHD to verify this tip. Dan Meisenzahl, HDOT’s Chief of Communications, replied to my inquiry:
“Hello Mr. Stene,
Thank you for your inquiry. The funding consisting of $9,000,000 in earmarks, and $10,000,000 in federal formula funds, has been transferred to Central Federal Lands, the project manager, for the 1st phase of the W7 project construction. Central Federal Lands will be advertising the project soon. The size and timing of the next phases of the W7 project will be depend on funding availability.”
Mr. Meisenzahl’s candor was very surprising. He previously declined to reveal the total amount of available funding. Nevertheless, I’m thrilled that 19 million dollars will be allocated to the first phase of the W-7 segment. However, I still believe it will take more than one bid solicitation to complete the earthwork.
Update: Dave Gedeon, the CFLHD Saddle Road project manager, also replied to my e-mail inquiry:
Aaron – We’ve been working with HDOT on the transfer; the funds are now in FHWA hands however there is still a fair amount of internal paperwork and routing to complete, thus not possible to establish a firm advertisement date at this time. Hopefully very soon.
June 23rd, 2011 at 6:16 AM
Aloha Aaron! This kind of post is TOTALLY important to your readers…this type of post is what will drive up your readership. Thank you for reporting this tip. Excellent journalism!