stow rei murray said the -- zoe taken a bite out of the -- project has taken a bite out of the lunch business. the top watchdog was asked to take a closer look because things got so bad. >> we weren't getting ans that made sense and wanted to confirm taxpayer -- answers that made sense and wanted to confirm taxpayer money was spent properly. >> reporter: not only is this project four years behind schedule, the state also wasted at least $2.6 million here's the thing. the auditor says this could have all been avoided if the state had simply done an inspection on the front end. instead after construction began workers found some unexpected problems. >> there was a fatal error. >> reporter: and when the bridge needed reconstructive surgery instead of just a band- taxpayers big. >> in an attempt to keep down costs at the outset, the state ended up being penny wise and pound foolish. >> reporter: in september the i team found project after the state highway director said some delays are unavoidable, but there's always room for improvement. lesson learned? mdot will no longer rely on outda

stow rei murray said the -- zoe taken a bite out of the --