New Hampshire Newsmakers of the Year 2007: Transportation Troubles

2007 presented its challenges for New Hampshire's Transportation Department. The year began with a report that the highway budget was far into the red. Then in March, longtime DOT official and then-commissioner Carol Murray resigned, to be temporarily replaced with former commissioner Charles O'Leary. What followed was a lot of bad news and hard facts: toxic waste found at a DOT site in Franklin, a ten year highway plan not a 35 year plan, bridges and roads not up to standard, projects cut, layoffs impending, and, finally, a toll hike.