Department of Transportation
Selected Aspects of Multi-Modal
Program Projects and Payments
Issued: September 6, 2012
Link to full audit report 2011-S-12
Purpose
To determine whether payments for Multi-Modal Program projects were for eligible expenditures
based on project requirements. The audit covers the period January, 2009 to September, 2011.
Background
The Multi-Modal Program (Program) provides reimbursements for authorized rail, port, airport,
fixed ferry, and State and local highway and bridge projects identified by the Governor and the
Legislature. All projects must be primarily used for an eligible public transportation purpose and
have a continuous service life of at least ten years. Entities that manage and oversee Program
projects must maintain public records to support project disbursements. The Department
of Transportation (Department) can audit local project disbursement records and disallow
unsupported reimbursement claims. As of May 11, 2011, 424 active projects were approved for
$135.2 million in Program funding and had been reimbursed $58.7 million.
Key Findings
- A $1-million payment was made for a parking garage at a private university, but the payment was noncompliant because the parking garage had not been made publicly accessible as required as a condition for funding.
- The payments we tested on eight other projects were generally for eligible costs for completed work.
Key Recommendations
- Take action to recover Program funds for the parking garage project.
Other Related Audits/Reports of Interest
Department of Transportation: Oversight of Grants Report 2009-S-78
State Government Accountability Contact Information:
Audit Director: Carmen Maldonado
Phone:(212) 417-5200; Email: StateGovernmentAccountability@osc.state.ny.us
Address: Office of the State Comptroller; Division of State Government Accountability; 110 State Street, 11th Floor; Albany, NY 12236
