CHARLESTON, W.VA. -- West Virginians for Better Transportation and 23 other groups from across the state will gather January 12 at the state Capitol to meet with local legislators and to help educate lawmakers about the challenges facing transportation. The groups will be taking part in “2012 Transportation Day at the West Virginia Capitol.” This gathering will be on the second day of the 60-day legislative session, and a special joint session of the House and Senate Transportation Committees will be held that afternoon. Speakers representing WVBT, business, labor and the W.Va. DOT are scheduled to provide presentations during the joint committee meeting about the state’s transportation system and its importance to jobs, economic development and commerce.
Among the organizations that will be part of Transportation Day activities are:
• West Virginians for Better Transportation
• West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
• West Virginia Business & Industry Council
• West Virginia Economic Development Council
• West Virginia AFL-CIO
• Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation of West Virginia
• West Virginia Association of Counties
• West Virginia Municipal League
• West Virginia Trucking Association
• West Virginia Manufacturers Association
• West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
• West Virginia Ski Areas Association
• Contractors Association of West Virginia
• American Council of Engineering Companies of West Virginia
• West Virginia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers
• Asphalt Pavement Association of West Virginia
• West Virginia Crushed Aggregates Council
• Builders Supply Association of West Virginia
• Coalfields Expressway Authority
• King Coal Highway I-73/74 Authority
• I-73/74/75 Corridor Association
• Shawnee Parkway Authority
• Little Kanawha River Parkway Authority
• Robert C. Byrd Corridor H Highway Authority
“We are urging all those interested in the future of West Virginia’s transportation system to come to Charleston on January 12 and show their support for a long-term solution for our roads, bridges and highways,” said Bill Hilborn, Chairman of West Virginians for Better Transportation. “We also are planning to hold a press conference that day to showcase the unity that exists for keeping West Virginia moving.”
Hilborn noted that the state’s transportation system is facing both continued inflationary increases and funding uncertainties. “The situation is getting rather problematic, with the state Department of Transportation now being on the record that it cannot keep up with fulfilling maintenance obligations of the existing system nor meet the calls for new highway construction projects.” He noted that the current situation also is added uncertainty and instability for the thousands of workers who are part of the state’s transportation, engineering and construction industries.
“West Virginia’s leaders at all levels must come together, decide on a long-term plan of action and identify a sustained source -- or sources -- of funding,” Hilborn added.
West Virginians for Better Transportation is a statewide coalition that works to educate West Virginians about the importance of maintaining a safe and modern transportation infrastructure. The coalition includes 300 organizations, groups, government leaders and companies that recognize and value the importance of a good surface transportation system. For more information about West Virginians for Better Transportation, please go to: www.keepwvmoving.org.