The Coalfields Expressway Authority hosted a special gathering in Beckley on Friday to bring regional lawmakers, county and local elected officials, and other business leaders together. The purpose of the meeting was to again talk about the importance of access — in particular, highways, railways and broadband.
Those in attendance heard from an adviser to the Appalachian Regional Commission who specializes in transportation and international trade. The topic was access to the global economy and how critical it is.
One of the most experienced engineers with the state Division of Highways also spoke, delivering the often heard message of major funding challenges which the state agency is experiencing and the difficulty it faces just in preserving our existing roads and bridges, let alone finding funds for 170 planned major new construction projects, which will take more than $20 billion to construct.
Our support is firm and unwavering for the CEA; we commend the group for bringing together more than 100 interested parties and the effort to continue the education process. We did learn some interesting things when it comes to the increasing worldwide demand for goods, and the need for establishing new inland ports.
However, the cold, hard facts remain that we are still relatively isolated, and until we act, let’s say that again, until we act to make certain all of our avenues to access are developed, we will continue to fall behind on a state, national and international basis.
It’s a dollar and cents issue, and even though our pipeline to federal funds remains extremely strong at the present time, it’s not going to stay that way forever. Our state leaders, from throughout the entire region, have got to become more persuasive when it comes to dealing with their colleagues and the executive branch in Charleston.
And even though the stance of new taxes and tolls — and it will take both if we’re going to really address this issue the way it needs to be — is widely unpopular, sometimes you have to make a stand.
Transportation funding also needs to be addressed through the state’s general revenue fund. It used to be that way and then was changed a number of years ago.
In this instance, the ways of the past need to be looked at again and some form of financial designation has to be earmarked from that specific line item.
To shed our image and have an actual chance to compete globally require a call to action because the time for listening to the same words, no matter how they are presented to us, has to be over.