"A federal investigation of Texas road construction projects revealed numerous environmental violations at the Dallas High Five and several other work sites.
Facing fines of up to $127,500, state officials are nearing an agreement with the EPA that imposes no penalties but calls for major changes in how the state builds roads.
Months after High Five construction began in mid-2001, an EPA inspection of the site found dozens of violations of the federal Clean Water Act. These included improper runoff controls, debris in creeks and inadequate record-keeping.
The state disputed many of the findings.
Under a proposed agreement, state and federal officials are expected to settle the matter without any fines or admission of violations.
"We didn't concede any violations actually occurred. ... Both sides agreed to settle the matter," said Rodney Concienne of the Texas Department of Transportation.
The contractor that built the High Five, Zachry Construction Corp., earned an $11 million bonus for finishing construction early."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/031106dnccotxdotepa.df9029d.html
All of the Democrats and Big Federal Government fans tried to make the High Five a Big Dig. Funny how a PRIVATE firm finished ahead of schedule, and under budget, when the socialists at the EPA got sidelined. Let's not let proven success cloud political stupidity.