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Publication: MetroNews
Release Date: 01/20/2010
A bill will soon be introduced from the Manchin administration that changes the West Virginia Parkways Authority. The legislation will propose adding two members to the existing authority while reducing the terms of authority members from the current eight years to four years. The bill will also create a partnership between the state Department of Transportation and Parkways to create additional toll roads in West Virginia.
State Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox says U.S. Route 35 in Putnam and Mason counties has the greatest potential. All, but 14 miles of the revamped highway are currently under construction. Secretary Mattox says there's really no money for those last few miles in Mason County. "We leveraged 200-million dollars in Garvee Bonds to get completed what we've got completed to date," Mattox said.
The secretary says creating a toll road would allow construction to happen sooner than later. "It would be very difficult to project the completion of U.S. Route 35 (without tolls)," Mattox said.
The proposed legislation would put the Parkways Authority in charge of the toll system, like it is on the West Virginia Turnpike.
The bill also deals with state-owned land around Tamarack in Beckley and possible private development of the property.
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