West Virginia Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox has brought forth a proposal seeking a road bond in excess of $1 billion that is aimed at moving 17 specific state highway projects forward.
Several of those projects — including completion of the Coalfields Expressway to Mullens, additional work on the Beckley Z-Way, segments of the New River Parkway in Summers County and a portion of the King Coal Highway near Bluefield — have been identified in the package.
The price tag of the road bond amendment could be as high as $1.5 billion and would be paid back over 30 years.
Mattox has asked lawmakers to place the issue on the ballot for state voters this election year.
West Virginians will have to pay back the bond with funds likely coming from higher registration fees and increased fuel taxes.
Nobody likes the thought of higher taxes and fees, but we would encourage the citizenry to weigh all the factors.
We need the dirt flying on these highways and, given the troubles with Congress and the financing of the federal transportation budget, states are going to have to come up with other solutions.
A road bond, along with public-private partnerships, can move these new road construction plans forward in the Mountain State — providing jobs, improving access and opening the door to economic development.
Should voters end up deciding they don’t want it, then that’s their call, but they should understand that without it these much-needed highway enhancements will remain stalled and take many, many more years to complete, if ever in some instances.
Legislators need to move the amendment forward and give West Virginians the choice. We hope they decide to make it a progressive one.