BOSTON -- As federal stimulus money starts to pour into Massachusetts, the governor just put out bids for $40 million dollars worth of construction projects. But whether the money will be spent wisely is a concern, considering the enormous budget overruns and delays on the current projects.

Rebuilding a Wellesley bridge will take four years longer than originally planned, running 82 percent over budget.

In Worcester, Goddard Memorial Drive, now nearly finished but one year over schedule, is 81 percent over budget.

Route 44 near Carver, is delayed six years due to environmental problems, and is 66 percent over budget. Taxpayers will pay an additional $32 million for just these three projects alone.

"There are these projects that should be done in maybe a year that take three, four, five, six years," said Michael Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayer's Association. "And everybody scratches their heads and say why isn't it getting done?"

Team 5 Investigates has learned that Mass Highway's 283 current projects are already running $115 million over budget.

In Auburn, where the first contractor and then the bonding company defaulted, there was a four year delay. The result? A 35 percent overrun.

Work on Route 9 in Brookline is 57 percent over budget and a year and a half behind schedule.

Quincy-Weymouth is 41 percent and Revere is 62 percent over budget.

In fiscal 2008, only 15 percent of the projects were completed on time and less than a quarter were on budget.

Team 5 Investigates Janet Wu asked Mass Highway Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky if she understood why the public would be cynical.

"I can certainly understand the frustration," said Paiewonsky. "But I can commit we're on the right track."

Paiewonsky said they are on track to improve the numbers, claiming current projects are 66 percent on schedule and 84 percent on budget. But she admitted most are nowhere near completion, so the number may not hold. Yet the commissioner said new methods and new rules are saving money and time.

"They include extended work hours, allowing contractors to work later in the day, work overnight, incentives for timely completion," said Paiewonsky.

But she acknowledged those cases were the exception, not the norm.

"Right now, I would call them highlights. We want to make them the norm," said Paiewonsky. "We've done things like close bridges down entirely so we can finish the job faster."

Construction to rebuild a bridge in Framingham is supposed to be completed this spring. That's not happening. The cost was supposed to be $1.6 million. That also won't happen. In fact, design issues require new plans to be drawn up.

"There is, I think, a culture within the department promising more than they can deliver to communities," said Mass Taxpayers Association's Widmer. He said political pledges slowed down the entire system.

"They get enormous pressure from legislators and local officials," said Widmer.

MassHighway admitted they get lots of calls from legislators asking for specific projects, but the Commissioner said, "We've become more stringent about that."

Paiewonsky insisted she's saying no to more low bidding contractors who try to tack on extras.

Widmer worries about two things. First, the widely touted transportation reform package now being debated on Beacon Hill.

"My experience is when organizations go through these kinds of reforms and restructuring, that takes the eye off the most important thing, which is getting the work done on time and on budget," said Widmer.

The federal stimulus money coming in to the state adds to concerns.

"We're very concerned about whether they're going to be able to spend this money wisely and the ultimate cost to the taxpayer," said Widmer.