In 2002, Gov. Mark Warner called for an audit of the Virginia Department of Transportation. Several months later the auditor of public accounts, Walter Kucharski, issued his report.

The audit noted numerous inefficiencies, as well as deficiencies. It made numerous recommendations to improve productivity and to achieve economies. VDOT and the Commonwealth Transportation Board subsequently swung into action.

On Monday, Gov. Tim Kaine greeted the opening of the General Assembly's special session on transportation with a gentle lesson in history. "In fiscal year 2002, approximately 20 percent of Virginia's highway construction projects were delivered on time and 51 percent on budget," he explained. "By the end of fiscal year 2007, VDOT successfully completed almost 90 percent of projects on time and on budget, exceeding all of its performance targets for the first time ever. This is a remarkable turnaround."

Kaine reminded the legislature that since 2001, VDOT has undergone at least eight audits and performance reviews. The agency likely ranks among the most audited and studied in state government.

As the private sector well knows, audits are a virtual constant. Well-run organizations do not fear them; poorly run organizations need them. It is possible a new audit of VDOT will uncover greater savings. Audits in Richmond have conveyed compelling information regarding bloat and weak management in city government, for instance. Additional savings in the state's transportation system would be welcome, yet in no way would they generate the revenue required for a program of maintenance and new projects.

Renewed Republican calls for transportation audits seem excuses for sloth. Audits unaccompanied by serious steps, such as those outlined in our Sunday editorial, resemble dodges. We are not impressed. The voters should not be impressed, either.