Independent audit suggests major TXDOT changes

“deeply entrenched culture”

Jay Blazek Crossley, Jun 01, 10.

Grant Thornton, an independent accounting firm, has released a 628 page management audit (pdf) on the Texas Department of Transportation, critiquing the agency’s culture, effectiveness, and funding.

The Dallas Morning News Dallas Transportation Blog summarizes the audit saying, “the Texas Department of Transportation should significantly alter its leadership structure, reshuffle its executive ranks and reduce the role engineers play in leading the sprawling agency.” Off the Kuff, Burkablog, the Fort-Worth Star Telegram, State Senator Kirk Watson, and Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Bill White have also weighed in on the report. Texas Transportation Commissioner Fred Underwood discussed the report on the Texas Department of Transportation “podcast,” stating that “TXDOT is not beyond repair,” (Direct mp3 link)

TXDOT notes on its web site on the report that it has been going through an “ongoing modernization” in recent history, highlighting these efforts:

The regionalization of business functions

The continued fulfillment of Sunset Commission Recommendations

Working as OneDOT to deliver ARRA, Prop 12 and IH-35 projects

Creating the Rail Division and the Strategic Policy and Performance Management Office

Developing TxDOT Tracker and Project Tracker

Right-sizing our fleet and streamlining field operations

The Texas Legislature could not agree on final passage of the 2009 TXDOT Sunset Bill and passed an extension bill to start the sunset process over again during the 2011 session, making no changes to the agency at that time.

As noted by the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the Grant Thornton report concludes, “meaningful adjustment in TxDOT cannot occur without leaders who understand and accept that the organization’s performance and management is not meeting expectations,” the report concludes. “TxDOT requires leaders who truly believe that the world has changed and that TxDOT must also change.”