Onslow News

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will make operational changes and cuts, the JD News reported in June, following the state auditor's report that the department overspent its budget by $742 million. 

The department's leadership has not refitted the audit findings. 

“Our response is that we have already implemented recommendations from the state auditor and will continue to put in place more internal controls and process improvements,” Transportation Department Assistant Director of Communications Steve Abbott said, JD News reported. “And we look forward to working closely with the General Assembly, the State Auditor, the State Treasurer and the Office of State Budget and Management to address these challenges.”

Pre-audit report's findings, the Transportation Department's budget was approximately $5.94 billion, though it's spending total, which sparked reviews, included expenses of more than $740 million, JD News and other media outlets have reported. 

Public officials have linked the Transportation Department's overspending to a series of mismanagement and lack of oversight, JD News and other media outlets have previously reported. Though, Hurricane Florence also contributed to financial woes by adding nearly $300 million to the department's expenses. 

In taking action to address some of the over-spending, the department is pausing a $2.1 million Bridge 31 project and an $8.7 million Gum Branch Road expansion in Jacksonville, JD News reported.