CHARLESTON — Diminishing cash and soaring road maintenance costs are leading lawmakers to once again try a new concept in laying fresh asphalt — empowering local governments to build their own highways.
After some discussion Monday, the Select Committee on Infrastructure approved two such bills, both of them winners last year in the Senate but losers upon arriving in the House of Delegates.
One would create the West Virginia Transportation Finance Commission to provide loans and other financial aid to local governments to build roads.
Another is the proposed Community Empowerment Transportation Act to allow government subdivisions to require bonds from commercial developers when roads are constructed.
Under the state Constitution, however, any roads built at local levels remain under the control of the state, explained Marvin Murphy, chief engineer for the Division of Highways.
“We would enter into an agreement before we would allow them to do that,” Murphy said.
So, if a county or municipality adds a new road, who plugs the potholes and removes snow and ice?
“That would be something we work into the agreement,” Murphy said.
Once a road is opened by a local government, Murphy said the state would exercise control over it — even setting the speed limits.
“We have the authority to operate it,” the engineer said.
“They might provide the funding for building it, but basically it’s a state road, and has to be in accordance with our transportation plan, both local and statewide plan.”
Murphy sees the legislation as an avenue for expanding the highway system across the state.
A draft of the first bill acknowledges that lawmakers agree that traditional revenue sources to finance roads cannot leverage the money needed.
Projects eligible for the proposed finance commission run a wide gamut — roads, bridges, tunnels, aviation and rail facilities, and public ports.
The commission would be run by a seven-member board, including the transportation secretary, and six others named by the governor for four-year staggered terms. Experience in finance is needed for two members, public finance for a third member, and construction and administration for two others.
In recent months, lawmakers have learned that with fewer new motor vehicles being sold — and many of those purchased are getting higher mileage than older models — the state is losing millions in registration fees and gasoline taxes.
“It gives us more opportunities to help on roads to provide some help to locals that need things done,” Murphy said of the legislation.
One example he cited for the committee is the scenario of an industry in need of an access road and a local government partners to help build it.
“Maybe it’s not a priority with us, but it may be something they may want to put their money on the table,” he said.
“We may move that up on our priorities and help them, allow them to go ahead and do it.”