NORFOLK -- VDOT has found $73.5 million dollars in unused transportation funds.
In April, the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee asked VDOT to review unused funds for transportation projects. The money could then go toward more urgent projects.
The money comes from unused or "unobligated balances" on highway projects completed that were funded with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funds.
Camelia Ravanbahkt of Hampton Roads Transportation Planning says this is great news for the region.
"This money could be used. There are a number of projects that are already in the pipeline," said Ravanbahkt.
"I think now with the scarcity of funding and shrinking of revenue streams, we have to use our monies very wisely, more efficeintly, and and do it in a expeditious manner."
Hampton Roads Transit hopes some of the unused money can go toward light rail cost overruns.
VDOT is setting up meetings with each locality to get their input on how the money should be used, but the final decisions is not VDOT's.
The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee will discuss what to do with the money at their meeting next Wednesday.
A spokeswoman from VDOT said she could not discuss the findings because all of the information hasn't been finalized yet.
