Gov. Morrisey announces overhaul of West Virginia DOT to reduce debt, save money
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced plans for big changes in the West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) on Monday, including plans to decrease administrative staff and pause work on new highway projects.
During a press conference in Bridgeport, Morrisey said that because prior financial management 'spent wildly in the past,' the DOT is 'basically out of money,' and is in substantial debt from transportation projects, having committed nearly 30 years worth of Roads to Prosperity money in less than seven years. According to Morrisey, West Virginia has $909 in transportation debt per resident, which is substantially higher than most other states.
Morrisey emphasized the need to make sure that road conditions improve in the state but on a much tighter budget.
To address the financial problems, Morrisey said he plans to cut back on administration jobs in the DOT by relying on technology and to pause new highway construction projects. He said his administration will prioritize fixing existing roads over creating new highways and that some current highway construction projects will be put on hold until the state can pay for them.
'We can't even afford the existing highways that are on the books,' he said during the press conference.
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He also said that to save state money, his administration will partner with counties on more road projects. He said he looks forward to counties and members of the private sector stepping up to help take care of West Virginia's roads.
The DOT project list is being rewritten with a focus on 'data-driven and evidence-based decisions' instead of 'politics,' according to Morrisey who said that the DOT will no longer focus on the 'squeaky wheel.'
Morrisey's office is also prioritizing financial transparency and revamping the DOT website to include publicly available information on how state funds are being used on roads and transportation in West Virginia.
Morrisey said during the press conference that even during the 'massive culture change' in the DOT, his administration is working toward improving the safety of West Virginia's roads and bridges, which are among the worst in the country.
'We have to do more with less,' he said during the press conference.
Morrisey's full press conference is available to watch on his YouTube page.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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