WHEELING – The state of West Virginia’s transportation infrastructure was discussed Wednesday at WesBanco Arena.
Local officials heard a presentation by the West Virginians for Better Transportation. WVBT Chairman Joe Deneault talked about state road and bridge problems. Wednesday’s meeting was the final of seven held around the state to raise awareness of challenges facing elected officials and community leaders.
“There are more needs facing our state’s transportation system than can be met with existing and projected resources,” Deneault said. “Local communities all across the state are struggling with the impacts of this situation. Many communities are going to face greater problems and issues as limited state road fund dollars are stretched even further.”
He said the information sessions were held to gather information and define problems so a statewide assessment can be made. “we want the transportation issues to become known to the public and, then, we can look at how to solve some of them,” he said. Attending the meeting were West Virginia Delegates Jack Yost, D-Brooke, and Tal Hutchins, D-Ohio, Wetzel County Commissioners Don Mason and Bob Gorby, Martha Carra of the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dave Knuth, Tony Chieffalo of the W.Va. 2/Interstate 68 Authority, Ohio Valley Regional Transit Authority Executive Director Tom Hvisdos, Bel-O-Mar Senior Transportation Planner Rakesh Sharma, Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron, Mark Sikora of HDR Engineering Inc. and AAA Regional President Larry Travis.
Deneault said, “Local leaders and the public must fully understand the challenges facing the state and decide whether the current situation is acceptable or whether they are willing to work toward a long-term plan with adequate funding.”
He presented several facts:
• 27 percent of West Virginia’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
• 37 percent of the state bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
• At 2.26 per 100 million vehicle miles, West Virginia’s traffic fatality rate on non-interstate roads is nearly 50 percent higher than the national average.
• Travel on West Virginia’s interstate highways is expected to increase by 67 percent by the year 2026.
Deneault said WVBT 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.