The Supreme Court here recently cleared the way for Acting Governor Jane Swift to fire Turnpike Authority board members Christy Mihos and Jordan Levy, whom she has accused of financial irresponsibility. Sean O'Neill, spokesperson for the $14.5-billion project, denies reports that the terminations will impact the cost-recovery process. O'Neill tells GlobeSt.com that the local published reports that contend that the process will be in trouble as a result of the firings is just not true.

"The Turnpike Authority and federal agencies are in charge of that process," he says. "We seek expertise counsel in each specific field. With Mihos and Levy leaving, it doesn't change the functionality of how things get done." O'Neill acknowledges that Mihos and Levy changed the process of the cost recovery but he says it is unclear whether it was an effective process. He also adds that the legislature has to approve the process and says, "it could be better.