Photo courtesy of Wikimedia user 209harrison / Public domain

Gov. Ned Lamont said he would redirect money borrowed by the state towards transportation projects if the state legislature can’t approve a plan to toll vehicles on Connecticut’s highways.

Speaking at this week’s meeting of the State Bond Commission, Lamont said the state “cannot afford” to fund other projects in addition to necessary repairs and upgrades to its transportation infrastructure if the state can’t raise revenue for these projects with highway tolls, according to the CT Mirror.

Lawmakers are currently negotiating over the tolling issue, but leaders say they doubt a vote will come before September.

The state is planning to spend $1.5 billion, including federal grant money, on transportation infrastructure this year, but the Mirror reports Lamont said the money is not enough to keep infrastructure in a state of good repair.