ARDOT reports $3.14 billion in federal obligations, says most construction dollars fund maintenance

ARDOT Director Jared Wiley briefed legislators on federal and state transportation revenues and said the department has obligated $3,140,000,000 in IIJA funding to date.

"To date, since the inception of the infrastructure investments and job act ... We have obligated $3,140,000,000 of that funding and that's cumulative to date," Wiley said when summarizing the December quarterly report.

Wiley described ARDOT’s budget priorities, telling the committee that ARDOT budgets roughly $1,000,000,000 a year for construction contracts and that at least 75% of those funds go toward taking care of the existing highway system rather than building new routes.

The director provided system‑scale figures to explain the funding pressure: about 16,300 centerline miles (near 40,000 lane miles) and roughly 7,400 bridges. "We focus our efforts on that," Wiley said, adding that some parts of the system carry most traffic and receive priority for limited resources.

When legislators asked about large projects, Wiley said corridors such as I‑40 widening are on ARDOT’s long‑range plan but that conventional funding would likely take decades. "If tolling proves to be a viable option ... a tolled lane would not allow trucks to use it most likely," he said, noting a toll study may be needed to test feasibility because the cost is in the multiple‑billions range.

Wiley also reviewed funds from state legislation passed in 2019 that increased motor‑fuel taxes, added fees for hybrid and electric vehicles, and allocated a guaranteed $35,000,000 in casino revenue; he said those sources must be spent on system maintenance and that last year those funds supported $98,700,000 in projects.

Committee members asked follow‑ups about specific corridors, railroad approvals for projects on Highway 82, and the timing of right‑of‑way purchases for other bridge work.