A Mississippi transportation commissioner says officials examining cost overruns in state highway construction have never asked the right questions.

According to the Associated Press, Commissioner Zack Stewart said when legislators passed the 1987 four-lane program, they sought "bare bones" cost estimates from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, based on the cost of adding two additional lanes to existing two-lane highways.
However, Stewart said legislators authorized a more extensive program that included upgrading bridges and widening shoulders. He said they never set aside enough money for the more extensive improvements, and transportation commissioners are now being blamed for going over budget, AP reported.
A report released last week by a legislative study group suggests broad changes to MDOT, including moving from elected to appointed commissioners.
Another commissioner, Wayne Brown, said electing the three officers results in better service for taxpayers.
Brown said he also fears the south and central parts of the state would be excluded in an appointment process because the Senate, which would have confirmation power, has been dominated for decades by north Mississippians.
The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee meets Wednesday to discuss MDOT's budgetary and administrative practices, and a House study report released last week had some of the same criticisms, recommending that MDOT develop a master budget for each construction project.