This isn’t how it was supposed to be.

Just a year after the General Assembly passed the largest financial boost for state transportation funding in more than two decades, VDOT and the Commonwealth Transportation Board officials have had to cut 44 percent of highway construction funding.

On Wednesday, leaders from around Virginia told transportation officials of their regional transportation woes at VDOT headquarters in Richmond, one of six public hearings around the state held on the revised budget.

VDOT announced last week that a $1 billion shortfall over the next six years meant funding would be reduced by 44 percent for Virginia’s primary, secondary and urban roadways. Many projects across the state have been dropped or delayed in the six-year plan because of a weak economy and the General Assembly’s repeal of abusive driver fees.

“Unfortunately this year starts with a very grim revenue situation,” Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer said at the start of the Richmond meeting, the third of the six hearings.

Officials listened to regional leaders ask for additional funding for critical transportation needs in their area. Replacing bridges, widening roads and accommodating the anticipated explosive growth at Fort Belvoir and Fort Lee due to the Base Closure and Realignment Commission’s recommendations were among the requests.

Speakers remained cordial, understanding that VDOT did not have control over how much money the state raised for transportation.

“We are going to have to tighten our belt unless something happens on the supply side,” George McCarthy, CTB representative for the Richmond district said at the end of the meeting.

Ironically, those who control the supply side — state legislators — were just a few blocks away, caught up in a fight over judgeships.

It may be awhile before the there will be any new transportation money. Kaine is expected to call the General Assembly back to the Capitol in late June for a special session on transportation. But so far, opposing parties show no sign of compromise on boosting the money supply.