State funds

for Fayette's road repaving projects is down.

Nineteen Fayette

roads will be repaved under a contract with the state Department of Transportation,

approved by the County Commission last week.

The 7.6 miles

of roadway included in this year's contract, with the state providing

$167,000, is a far cry from the norm. DOT's Local Assistance Road Program

provided $182,000 last year, and in a later supplemental allocation, came

up with $136,000 more.

"We typically

receive $250,000 to $300,000," said Lee Hearn, director of the Public

Works Department, adding, "We will try to get additional funding

on a case by case basis."

Commission

Chairman Greg Dunn said the reduction in funding can be blamed on Gov.

Roy Barnes' decision to funnel transportation funds into other projects.

"The two years that Governor Barnes has been governor, he has substantially

reduced funding for this program," Dunn said.