After three years of borrowing from transportation funds, lawmakers made restitution Wednesday with $90 million in new dollars for old debts.

An additional $30 million was approved for one-time construction and maintenance projects, making transportation the biggest winner this session in the scramble for state dollars.

"I think it's obviously a reflection of the order of our fiscal house," said Carlos Braceras, deputy director of the Utah Department of Transportation. "When you've got the money, you pay off your debts."

Under HB18 — which was expected to pass late Wednesday — the $90 million was to be reserved for payment of the Centennial Highway Fund, which was created in 1997 to fund projects like the Legacy Parkway and reconstruction of I-15.

The $30 million was to be placed into a new account, the Transportation Investment Fund, and may be used for expansion of I-15 in Utah County.

With those infusions of extra dollars, lawmakers are freeing cash for the future. It may also pave the way for millions to be added to Centennial in future years, and perhaps to new road projects.

But the bill, if passed, is among those about which the governor's office has concerns, Jason Chaffetz, chief of staff for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., said.

While subject to legislative approval, HB18 calls for a percentage of sales tax dollars to be diverted each year toward payment of Centennial. In fiscal year 2007, the bill allocates more than $100 million with a diversion of .36 percent in sales tax.

After that, the percentage is raised to .56.

Educators and Democrats are concerned about that number. With HB18, transportation may receive money that typically goes to programs like human services, corrections and higher education.

GOP lawmakers say they're being fiscally conservative. Transportation has typically been used as a "rainy day" fund where the state can borrow when money is tight.

Before the session, business leaders and transportation planners joined in an unprecedented coalition to lobby lawmakers for those funds. Their allies were lawmakers serving on a two-year transportation task force, many of whom presented bills this session to both economize — and fund — road building.

What resulted was a battle between legislative bodies over how much money to give. The governor said $33 million in one-time money, the House asked for $85 million in ongoing money, and the Senate was in between.

"We were anticipating somewhere around $33 million in one-time money," said UDOT executive director John Njord. "This is beyond what we've expected."

Other transportation-related bills were likely losers this session. SB8, which would have raised vehicle registration fees by $20, was stalled in House rules. And a primary seat-belt law failed again. The House did approve an amended version of the bill that would tighten restrictions on teenagers not wearing seat belts — requiring them to lose their licence for 30 days.

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights Heights, appeared successful with two transportation-related measures.

SB42 clarified and tightened restrictions for those convicted of DUIs. DUI's. SB 25 SB25 creates a task force to study whether control of state roads should be transferred to local government, and authorizes UDOT to implement toll roads.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com