Gov't watchdog questions airport stimulus projects

After the infamous Bridge to Nowhere you might think that the government would do a better job of weeding out funding for questionable projects. However Yahoo News reports that the FAA's Inspector General has uncovered numerous instances where Stimulus money was awarded for airport projects that did not meet the agency's grant criteria.

By JOAN LOWY, Associated Press Writer - Tue Aug 11, 1:06 pm ET

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration used economic stimulus money to pay for 50 airport projects that didn't meet the grant criteria and approved projects at four airports with a history of mismanaging federal grants, a government watchdog said Monday.

Transportation Department Inspector General Calvin Scovel said he plans to examine the Federal Aviation Administration's process for selecting programs for the $1.1 billion in grant money. Among the projects that Scovel said didn't meet the FAA's minimum score was $14 million that went to Akiachak, Alaska, a town of 659 residents, to replace its airfield. The town has a seaplane and is only 14 nautical miles from the state's fourth busiest airport. (more)