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Puerto Rico transportation agencies ask for $75 million a year for maintenance; identify 508 unaddressed landslides
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Summary
Department of Transportation & Public Works and the Highway Authority told the House Budget committee they need more recurring maintenance funding, described capital projects underway and said 508 landslides remain unfunded — an estimated $203 million need over the current four‑year term.
Edwin González Montalvo, secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) and executive director of the Autoridad de Carretera y Transportación, told the House Commission on Hacienda y Presupuesto on Thursday that the agencies need additional recurring money to maintain the island road network and to address a backlog of landslides.
González said the authority has 744 employees and is planning to add about 52 positions next fiscal year; DTOP reported about 1,193 employees and more than 2,000 vacancies and has requested funding to create 96 additional positions. He said the authority has obligated and disbursed substantial capital (CAPEX) this fiscal year and projects roughly $329 million in CAPEX spending by year‑end after disbursing $229 million through Feb. 28.
The agencies told lawmakers that federal highway apportionments are largely dedicated to reconstruction and come with restrictions. “Those federal funds are for reconstruction — they come with a name and a purpose,” González said during the hearing, explaining that much of the Federal Highway Administration money must be used on interstate or major corridors and for work tied to federal program conditions.
Why it matters: Committee members pressed officials about the gap between funding for big federally eligible reconstruction projects and the smaller, recurring maintenance work that keeps local and tertiary roads passable. Without additional recurring appropriations, DTOP officials warned, routine maintenance and shorter repairs will be deferred.
Key figures and requests - DTOP/Authority employment and hiring: authority reported 744 employees and plans for ~52 new positions next year; DTOP reported 1,193 employees with ~2,000 vacant positions and requested funding for 96 new slots. These numbers were stated by Secretary Edwin González and deputy officials during the presentation. - CAPEX: $229 million spent through Feb. 28 this fiscal year; projected to reach about $329 million by fiscal year end (figures given by González). - Landslides: the agencies have identified 508 landslides that lack a funding source, with an estimated average repair cost of $400,000 each; González said “A la fecha, hemos identificado unos quinientos ocho deslizamientos,” and from that calculation the agencies estimate roughly $203 million will be needed during the current four‑year term. - Proposed consolidated budget: González said the proposed consolidated budget for FY 2025–26 is approximately $192.8 million, with $57.4 million from the general fund and $135.4 million from a special state fund; he said the overall request compares to a proposed figure that represents a net decrease of approximately $51.6 million from current levels (breakdown cited by González).
Federal funding, PPP sale and constraints Officials emphasized limits on how federal apportionments may be used and described efforts to maximize those funds and obtain discretionary grants. González and other officials described the sale/PPP of toll assets (PR‑52 and related highways) that closed in December 2023. As presented to the committee, the transaction generated proceeds the authority used to retire debt; González said the authority paid its outstanding debt and “nos quedaron cerca de unos mil millones de dólares que tenemos depositados en una cuenta en Oriental.” He noted the Fiscal Oversight Board (Junta) has a different view and has suggested longer‑term investment strategies for those proceeds.
González also asked the commission to consider legislative or budget action to provide at least $75 million annually from the general fund to shore up road maintenance and to fund repairs of the identified landslides. He described administrative steps the agencies are taking to speed payments to contractors, improve CESCO service centers, advance project design work (soft costs) and use a memorandum of understanding between DTOP and the authority to deploy resources more flexibly.
Committee follow‑ups and requests Multiple representatives pressed officials for more detail. The committee asked the agencies to provide, within five business days, the list and status of the landslides identified (locations and dates when the damage originated, if known) and other budget backup information. Staff also requested a breakdown of special‑fund balances and obligations.
Background and context Witnesses described the difference between reconstruction (federally eligible capital projects, often with strict eligibility criteria) and maintenance (routine repaving, pothole repair, small‑scale repairs), and warned that federal reconstruction apportionments cannot be used for routine maintenance. Committee members discussed how this framing constrains local discretion and why state general fund supplementing maintenance is needed.
Ending Officials told lawmakers they will supply the requested project lists and financial breakdowns and reiterated an appeal for more recurring maintenance funding to prevent localized closures and reduce longer detours for residents.
