In her new proposed budget, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue generally agrees with transportation proposals aired by House Republicans last week to put a cap on the state gas tax and to postpone new and increased ferry tolls for a year.

Ferries:  Perdue angered legislators in February when she refused to start collecting new tolls on two toll-free ferry routes, and higher rates on three tolled routes, as ordered in the state budget last year.  She cited economic hardship in ferry-dependent coastal communities.  Republicans sharply criticized Perdue but shied away from fighting her on this.  Both budget drafts, theirs and now hers, would put off the new tolls until July 2013.

But there's a difference here: What to do about the additional $2.5 million in toll collections that had been expected in the budget? ... [MORE]

Transportation spending changes approved this morning by a House budget subcommittee would cut state ferry appropriations by $10 million a year and require tolls on all ferries; put new restrictions on the state’s ability to accept federal rail grants; and focus more transportation spending on roads and bridges.

“It redirects precious resources to allow for approximately $700 million to be expended [over the next two years] on maintenance and construction projects that will improve safety and relieve congestion across the state,” said Rep. Ric Killian, a Charlotte Republican who is co-chairman of the House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee.[4/22/11 update: see today's story.]

Some of that money is rerouted from other areas of the budget. Much of it is simply shifted from related funds governed by legislative formulas that already include roads and bridges but give the Department of Transportation more latitude in deciding how to spend it.

A department official said DOT already has shifted its priorities to increase spending for road and bridge upkeep.

“What’s important is the General Assembly’s direction to keep our internal focus, which we have done since 2009, on improving pavements, improving the maintenance condition and reducing the substandard, structurally deficient bridges,” said Jim Trogdon, DOT’s chief operating officer. “It will increase what is dedicated to them.”

If the proposed transportation budget is adopted by the full General Assembly and Gov. Bev Perdue: ... [MORE]