Charleston, W.Va. – West Virginians for Better Transportation (WVBT), continuing its efforts to mobilize supporters with a vested interest in transportation, has added several significant organizations to its growing list of coalition partners. Among recent new partners are:
• Constructors' Labor Council of West Virginia, Inc.
• West Virginia Economic Development Council
• West Virginia Labor Management Trust
• West Virginia Operating Engineers
• West Virginia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
• West Virginia Primary Care Association
• West Virginia State Medical Association
By adding the aforementioned organizations, WVBT’s statewide coalition is now nearly 200 partners strong. Other coalition partners include the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, West Virginia Municipal League, West Virginia Association of Counties, West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, West Virginia Bankers Association, Community Health Network of West Virginia, Home Builders Association of West Virginia, West Virginia Tourism Commission and Vision Shared, Inc.
“Taking into account the number and variety of our supporters, WVBT is quite possibly touching every home in the state,” said Joe Deneault, chairman of WVBT. “To me, this says people in West Virginia care about our transportation system and want to see solutions regarding the current and future challenges.”
WVBT has taken its campaign, “Keep West Virginia Moving,” throughout the state in recent months to educate the public about West Virginia’s transportation system, to highlight funding challenges and to encourage development of long-term solutions.
“Many communities have major road, bridge and highway needs that far outstrip available resources. If a long-term plan is not developed soon regarding this situation, then many important transportation projects will be delayed, and conditions and services will worsen,” Deneault added.
Also, the recent extended stretch of frigid temperatures has been hard on state roads and will help to produce a large number of potholes and other road problems, Deneault added. “This will strain the state’s resources even further.”
West Virginians for Better Transportation is a coalition working to educate West Virginians – and our leaders, in particular – about the importance of maintaining a safe, efficient and modern transportation infrastructure. The coalition is reaching out to a wide spectrum of organizations that rely on and value the importance of a good surface transportation system. The coalition also is spearheading a statewide education campaign, “Keep West Virginia Moving,” designed to generate public awareness of the state transportation system and foster debate about the ability to meet current and future needs. For more information, please go to www.keepwvmoving.org.