City still awaiting federal funds for ART

Lawrence Rael, the city's chief operations officer, said Albuquerque doesn't have a signed agreement with the Federal Transit Administration, which is a problem because it's how we get reimbursed for money used on ART construction.

The city is banking on getting back $75 million. Money from the federal deal was expected to come in two waves -- the first $50 million were to be awarded this year and the rest in 2018.

But Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said they still need the check.

"The ART funding is planned and prepared and appropriated," he said. "It is not locked in, and so we are concerned about that but we're also moving fast to deal with that as best as we can."

The project has gone about $15 million over budget, and Keller said they're having to address issues with handicap accessibility.

Keller said the first goal is to get that agreement signed and get the $75 million back to the city.