The State Highway Commission has formally received an independent panel’s report on accountability and credibility issues at the State Transportation Department. The panel recommends several changes including a reorganization of top Transportation Department management, and the Commission should acknowledge what happened to the 15-year highway plan in 1998, when commissioners voted to put it aside, that that was a mistake that won’t be repeated. Commission Chair Barry Orscheln says the Commission now needs to consider the whole report and decide what, if any, changes need to be made. He gave no timetable for any implementation of any changes.
